The on going's of a certain blue mare's life and where she has ended up.
Trixie is a brave, talented mare with a confident heart, but is she all she's cracked up to be? For her, life can come at a cost and things aren't always so black and white. Struggles come in all forms in everyone's lives so can she come to term with hers? Maybe she's the problem, maybe.
"Another beautiful day in Ponyvile." You tell yourself, opening the blinds and getting ready for the day ahead. You're a human that lives in what you once thought was a seemingly impossible place to be albeit if the talking colorful horses wasn't enough to think you were going insane.
You seemed to have adjusted to this world pretty nicely. Being lonely was the least of your worries seeing that back on Earth you didn't have a lot of friends and the change from talking fleshy creatures to talking fur filled animals hasn't garnered you any popularity in that aspect.
You head out the door to start your inevitable day job that has you scraping by fairly well even if it's only so much bits that ponies would refer to your pay as "minimum wage" but it pays the bills so you aren't really complaining.
"Sweet Apple Acres. Oh how I have missed you." You say in a sarcastic tone as you approach the farm with seemingly endless trees of red and green delectables.
Applejack said she wouldn't be working on the farm for a bit because she has important business to attend to or as she put it "I'm goin' on vacation for a bit with Rainbow so I won't be able to help out on the farm with you and Big Mac for the time being, but I told Granny Smith to increase your pay to a couple percent higher while I'm away just as a way of sayin' sorry for me not bein' there to help with the heavy load."
"Well that was nice of her at least. She deserves it anyhow after all the hard work she puts in to her craft." You think to yourself reminiscing of the fact of how much of a hard worker she is.
Setting your thoughts aside you meet up with Big Mac and the two of you begin working. Planting tree's, bucking apples, or in your case picking them. It's a physical job for sure but easy enough.
Eventually the two of you go on break and you decide to take your regular walk in the never ending sea of trees that is Sweet Apple Acres.
"Phew only a few more hours and I can go home and rest." You think to yourself, taking in the vibrant but plain sight of nature that always seems to calm you down.
Though today would be different. On most day's you'd take a walk through the trees to just unwind and "let yourself go" as you would say.
But today was not most days. As you take in your surroundings you see what could only be described as a blue blob on top of a tree. Walking closer you can see that it is in fact a pony.
"A pony? Here? What on Celestia's green Earth is a pony doing on top of a tree all the way out in the middle of nowhere?"
With even closer examination you see that the blue pony is sleeping pretty soundly even though it looks like the most uncomfortable sleeping place a pony let alone someone like yourself could lay on. You try yelling to them to get their attention but they seem to be out good. You try yelling again this time almost breaking your vocal cords but end up realizing that if this continues you might seriously injure yourself.
You instead look for an object on the ground to throw and find a conveniently fallen branch not to far off from where the blue pony is sleeping.
Raising your hand you aim at the horse's back hoof and are ready to throw when "oh crap!"
Loosing your balance you lose grip on the stick that is now airborne and fall on your back to the soft blow of the green grass around you.
Upon hitting the ground you hear a "BONK" as well as a voice you could only make out as feminine echo a confused "ow!" back in your direction.
Getting up, you point your eyes towards where you heard the voice coming from only to realize that the voice you heard was that blue pony now rubbing her head from the pain you could only assume was inflicted by the flying stick.
"Oops." you mutter, surprised that for one you somehow managed to hit your target and two that it also missed the hoof completely and flew straight towards their head.
"Uh, hey." you say to the surprised and confused pony.
"I SAID I DON'T TASTE GOOD" the shocked pony that you now determine is female said.
"Sorry? I'm not going to eat you but you're uh kind of sleeping on a tree that also seems to be in the buck town middle of nowhere."
She looks in your direction, now relieved to see that whatever it was she was so afraid of is seemingly gone.
"Ahem." She clears her voice. "You dare wake 'The Great and Powerful Trixie' from her slumber?"
"...?" Confused you look at her with your mouth half opened before speaking. "Uh yah, like I said you're kind of on someone's property far out in the middle of nowhere. It'd help to know how and why you're here."
"Trixie doesn't need to explain anything to the likes of you. Especially since that someone struck her in the head with a rock!"
"It was a stick but ok." you mutter to yourself.
"Alright look, you're right, I don't really need or care for an explanation as to why a stray mare got herself stuck in some pony's tree, but if you need help I can go back to-"
"Help?" you're cut off abruptly. "Hmph. From you? As if. Trixie, 'The Great and Magnificent', can handle her own flank thank you very much. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving."
You watch for a brief moment of her 'testing the waters' so to speak, as she tries to find a pathway down to the ground, holding on and kicking and flailing the tree around her to find a good place to put her hoof next. "Uhm. Ok suit yourself." You say to her, turning around and walking back in the direction you came from to start the second half of your shift.
-------*-------
Sometime passes until you and Big Mac see the sun starting to set and call out for the night.
"Alright Mac goodnight see ya whenever I'm working again." You tell him as you two exchange your usually goodbyes with the stallion of many words only saying a monotone but cheerful "Eyup." in response.
You try and start your walk home but for some reason... can't? Why not? You go down the same path every day with no hesitation, but now all of a sudden as if some force is telling you no, you just can't.
"Sigh, am I really doing this?" That mare. Why should you care anyways? It's not like you know her and if anything she seemed to not want your presence near her whatsoever. But still, something in you needs to know if she's ok, I mean it'd be on you if you were the last person to see her and she just went missing all of a sudden, right?
So you decide to head back to the lush apple trees and venture to where you last saw her. "Man where could she be? For all I know, maybe she was able to climb down safely and get out of here. God, what am I doing here? She's not any of my business and I'm not hers, so why then?" Thinking to yourself, you have doubts that she's even still here until...
"Oh no." Face planted on the ground you see the blue mare battered with dirt and scrapings all across her body. You begin to worry and try to wake her up but no response. Turning her over you lean on her vibrant blue furred chest to hear any heartbeat or soft breathing coming from her at all and are relieved to know that she is in fact alive.
"Oh thank Celestia." you say exhaling with calmness washing over you, but it still stands that there is a mare passed out on the grass that may be seriously hurt for all you know, you have to take her to a hospital.
Getting up from the ground, you cradle her in your arms gently as not to hurt her, and finally get a good look at her face. Minty blue mane, a soft round face, and a horn sat atop her head. You think to yourself of just how adorable she looks. "Ugh what am I doing? Now's not the time to start looking at girls faces, I need to get her to safety."
Walking out of the trees and onto the street, there isn't a pony in sight and it's almost dark out. You look up and see the sun hitting your eyes as you hope you'll be able to get her to care in time.
Seeing the hospital in your line of sight, you hurry inside to find a worker at the desk. "H-Hi *pant* *pant*." you're so worn out from running over here that you take a minute to catch your breath and start to talk once more.
"Pony *pant* hurt *pant* need doctor *pant* now."
The mare over the desk looks at you with a smile, and then gasps in shock at the unicorn you have clenched in your arms with a worried look on her face. She begins to speak.
"I'm terribly sorry but we're closed for the night."
"Closed?! There's no way the only hospital in Ponyvile is closed? Please, I found her on the ground like this and need to know if she's ok just..."
"I think it's time for you to leave sir."
"No this is ridiculous." You storm past the desk and run into the doors ahead. You hear her call security and know you don't have much time to find a doctor.
"Oh finally!" You call out relieved to see someone who can actually help.
"Oh hello sir, what brings yo-"
Paused in her speech she looks down to see the pony you are carrying and freezes up almost instantly.
"Please I just need your help to see if she's ok."
"I'm... sorry sir I can't attend to you right now."
"What? What is wrong with you ponies? Can't you see she's hurt?"
Loud footsteps come from behind as four stallions in uniform force you out of the building.
"Doctor please!" As you're being thrown out one more cry comes from your voice to help in your situation, but to no avail.
The two of you are thrown out without a word and you and the blue pony hit the ground with a thud as the stallions block entry way from the door waiting for you to leave the area.
"What is wrong with you ponies?! Can't you see she needs help!?" You say outraged getting up from the ground to head over to the mare that was dealt the same treatment as you were.
You cradle her once more and make way to your house where you'll hopefully be able to give her treatment by your own hands, as now it seems to be your only option; thinking of all the medical supplies you have access to, that can help in her condition.
The birds chirp, almost as a beckoning for all the mares and stallions in Ponyvile to get up and start their day. Light fills your eyes and you can hear snoring not to far from where you are.
There she lies, the pony you attended to last night. Laying in your bed where you gently put her to rest, you sitting across from her in one of the chairs you had in the kitchen, bandages now covering her once bleeding hooves and a soft cloth wrapped around her frame as to help the small gashes and scraps on her back to heal. You aren't much of a medical guru, but you tried your best regardless.
"Well she looks a lot better then she did yesterday at least." You think to yourself, cautiously looking at the mare's face hoping she'll be ok.
You head downstairs and into your kitchen to prepare food for you and your uninvited guest sleeping soundly as a rabbit.
Moments pass as you almost get finished making supper until you hear a loud *THUMP* along with an echo of a feminine "ow!" Coming from upstairs.
You walk back up to see how your guest is doing and see her on the ground trying to get up, but the pain just won't let her.
"Oh you're awake!" Is the first thing to leave your lips, looking down at the distraught mare, she's surprised to see you and gives you a grimace before speaking.
"What did you do?"
"What did I do? Well that's a loaded question." You say to her, not really understanding her meaning.
"Why am I in some strangers house, of an unfamiliar species I'm not aware of?! Furthermore, why am I,... ouch!... hurt." She says to you, trying to get her baring's but to no avail.
"I don't think you're in any condition to stand up quite yet, here let me hel-"
"Don't you even think about touching me!" She says to you with a particular moody scowl in her voice. "I don't know what you did or why you're out to get me specifically but-"
"Out to get you?" You cut her off, baffled by the words she's saying. "Lady I don't even know you. I just saw you were hurt and decided to patch you up, that's all. If I was out to get you I would've probably just left you face planted in the dirt from the tree you fell from." You say to her, trying, albeit not in a very direct way, to explain how she got here.
"The tree..." She says to herself trying to recollect the happenings that went on yesterday.
"Well that still doesn't explain why I'm in your house. What, you going to eat me? Trixie can handle herself you know." She says in a snarky voice to you.
"Listen, I know it's weird and honestly be it happenstance or what have you, I decided to help someone- or rather some pony in need. I'd be glad to send you on your way but as it turns out right now you're still badly hurt and are really in no condition to walk. Is there a friend in particular I can go and get to have pick you up?"
She stares at you with confusion and uneasiness before speaking again.
"....Well actually as it so happens I do have a friend.... many in fact... not that some... thing like you needs to know, Trixie is very famous in whatever situation she may find herself in. Magnificent as the moon, beautiful as the cosmos themselves. Trixie is-"
"Are you putting on a performance or something?" You say mockingly, taking her out of her monologue and back to reality.
"I don't need to explain anything to the likes of you. Now if you excuse me *grunt* I'll be, ow, leaving."
Seeing her struggle to get up once more you hold her up by her front hooves and place her on the bed, to the dismay of herself.
"I said I can handle myself."
"Uh huh... seems you were doing great just a minute ago." You say teasing her.
"No matter, I'll be leaving... just as soon as I feel like it." She says to you, laying all hooves down on your bed with a smug yet still pained looking face.
-------*------- Hours pass by while doing chores around the house until you decide to check on the mare that you assume is still resting on your bed.
Walking back up stairs and into your room, you see the blue mare fallen at the side of your bed once again.
"So I guess you don't feel like leaving yet huh?" You say to her in a mocking manner.
"Ha ha very funny wise guy. Honestly if I could I would just so I could stop listening to your voice."
"Harsh."
"Anyway can you just, you know, take me home instead? It seems that whatever injuries you've inflicted on me aren't going away anytime soon and Trixie would really like to be alone."
"I didn't inflict any- ah forget it." You finish your sentence in a defeated tone.
"Besides that, what about your friends? Shouldn't they be more qualified to take you home? After all, I am such a huge threat to you."
"Well... about that..." She looks away from you, rubbing her hoof behind her neck seeming unsure what to say next.
"They're most likely busy with other things, life and what have you and it would be rather rude for me to just barge in on their personal endeavors. In any case you're the one who caused this, so it should be your responsibility to also take Trixie home."
Suspicious but not questioning her, you agree to help take her home, if anything just for this mare to be out of your hair is enough to agree to her demands.
You walk over to grab her front hoof to help her up when-
"What do you think you are doing?" She looks at you with confusion and a scowl on her face.
"Trying to get you out of my house and into yours?"
"And why do you think you can just have your way with me willy nilly?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't. Touch. Me. Do I need to spell it out?"
"Ok miss princess, then explain to me how in fact you're getting home if you can't even stand on your own two- four hooves?"
She actively stops and thinks for a moment before coming to an answer. "Crutches. You got crutches don't you?"
"For ponies?" You ask, confusion reigning in your voice as you genuinely didn't know that was a known thing in Equestria.
She looks at you with eyelids lowered and frustration written all over her face before answering. "You're kidding right? Yes for ponies. Who else would it be for." She says in a deadpan tone.
"Well I-... no actually I don't."
Frowning and visibly disappointed, she sighs to herself before speaking. "Fine, can't be helped I suppose. It seems as if you'll have to carry me all the way home then."
"Carry you?! Look, I'm all for letting you lean on my side to help you walk but carrying you?"
"Must you make things so difficult? Alright fine. I'll lean on your side and you'll be my support, sound good?"
"A lot better then carrying dead weight..." you mumble to yourself.
"Oh what was that?"
"Nothing oh so magnificent one. Come on let's go."
Without another word you motion for her to give you her hoof and hesitantly, she accepts. You see a mixture of uneasiness, fear, pain, and frustration on her face as she looks away from you while you're helping her up.
"Easy, easy, don't want your gashes to be opened up again do we?" You say to her as you try to slowly and carefully get her up as not to hurt her.
"Yeah I- ouch- guess just... be gentle would you? Trixie isn't trying to make her situation anymore worse." She says to you, looking away; a hint of red appearing on her face.
"Don't worry I'd rather the situation not get any worse then it has to be either."
Walking downstairs, the two of you walk out the door and into the brisk sunlight that is now shining upon you.
Walking down the street, Trixie tells you the direction to head and the two of you slowly but surely head there one foot and hoof step at a time.
Noticeably, everyone you see either runs away out of panic or ignores you completely while the two of you walk side to side.
"What the heck has gotten into everyone today?"
Looking at Trixie you see her looking down at the ground while the two of you are walking, not making eye contact with anything or anyone else around her, almost as if she's trying to ignore the situation completely.
"This way." You finally here her talk after minutes of walking, she points you in the direction to go. Feeling concerned, you ask if anything's wrong.
"Hey... Trixie.."
The blue mare looks up a little noticing the callout of her name and looks to you almost like she was in a trance and you took her out of it, until seconds later she looks back to the ground and speaks.
"Yah, what is it? Don't really think there's much to talk about right now unless you need to stop for a second."
"No it's not that, it's just..."
"Go on."
"You seem a little down is all."
Over your talking you can hear a mare whispering to what you assume to be her friend while looking at the both of you, though as soon as you make eye contact the mare looks to be surprised and her and her friend walk away as quickly as possible.
Looking back up with her face and body straight and confident as can be, Trixie looks to you to respond.
"Down? Me? Ha. Trixie is never sad. I am just bored is all. Nothing to do nothing to see. It's not like Ponyvile is the most extravagant place you know. If I wanted to see decorative buildings, I would have just gone to Manehattan. My goal is to just finally have this nightmare over with and be alone back in my glorious house." She finishes off in a cocky tone that feels more in line with what you've been hearing from her.
"You know actually that reminds me..."
You trail off in thought as Trixie looks at you, her head and face slightly tilted to the side.
"What were you doing up there in that tree? I mean it's not everyday some pony gets themselves stuck on a tree and I'm not going to judge or anything but you seemed awfully shaken up and-"
"It's none of your business." She stops you abruptly as the words leave her lips. You stay silent for a moment from the seriousness in her voice that caught you off guard.
"I mean..." She sighs catching her breath in the process. "It doesn't matter ok? I mean what does it matter to you anyway, you don't know me, I don't know you, best we keep it that way."
"Sure." You say to her in a melancholy tone. You aren't too sure how or even why she got up there, but as far as you two are concerned, you're just strangers, you'll leave her once this whole mess is behind you and she'll continue her life just as she did before. But it really does make you wonder what this mare is all about.
"But." She begins to speak seemingly hesitant to do so.
"It wouldn't be so bad to know your name. N-Not that it matters, just, you know, you already know mine so why not return the gratitude." She looks away from you for some reason. She seems embarrassed but all she did was ask for your name? You find it weird that she would be in such distress from a simple question like this but you choose to ignore that fact and answer her.
"It's Anon."
"Anon... Huh. Didn't think someone would have a name like that."
"What is it bad or something?"
"Don't misconstrued my words, I didn't say that, I just never heard of anyone ever called by that name before is all. In any case, it's good to know you aren't some nameless, faceless... whatever you are that just came out of thin air and into Equestria."
"Heheh yeah, just appearing here out of nowhere would be pretty weird haha." You chuckle nervously and weird enough to catch her attention.
"Uhhhh... Yeaaaah it would..."
The two of you continue down the sidewalk path with ponies anywhere and everywhere still walking the opposite direction the two of you are coming from not even glancing into your eyes as you walk past. You still think it's weird and pray that it isn't because you smell bad but you're quickly reassured as you're sure if anyone were to tell you that you stunk it'd be the mare that is leaning on your side for support.
-------*------- "Man Trixie how far is your house? Feels like we've been walking for miles and we're nowhere near Ponyvile anymore."
"It's close, trust me." The blue pony reassures you as you walk nearer and nearer to the perceived destination.
You both are out of Ponyvile and are now in deep woods that feels very ambient and lonely if not a little relaxing.
"Well being out in the middle of nowhere where no one is here to bother you is pretty nice I got to admit."
"Really? I thought living next to neighbors would be something someone like yourself would really enjoy." Trixie says in response
"Honestly I don't mind it, sure it can get noisy here and there but it isn't all bad but I'm not really a people- or pony person. Having a little alone time where no one is around is something I haven't had the luxury of doing in quite some time though. But why the woods? You most definitely strike me as the type to be a 'pony gal', with having tons of friends and what not."
"It's... It's complicated."
That's all she says on the matter, she doesn't seem to be open with you and you don't really understand why but respect it nonetheless.
"Woah hey what is that?" You say, seeing an opening to a huge rock cave that looks to be man-made.
Trixie gasps out of shock at the sight of it.
"It's best we move, like now!" Trixie exclaims as she motions you away from whatever she's so afraid of.
"Well hold on it looks pretty cool can't we just see what's inside-"
"Anon I'm serious we have to go now-"
"Well, well, well, look who it is? The meal that ran away? Oh it is! And what's this? She brought a friend with her too! Well ain't that sweet. Two for one deal!"
You and Trixie turn around slowly to see the figure that is talking; a large grey dog greets your eyes as his mouth drools heavily.
"Ya know, if I knew you were coming to visit today, I would've brought my buddies with me; oh well, looks like I'll have to bring dinner home myself."
"Hey look, we don't want any trouble." You tell the creature
"Well unlucky for you pal you found just that!" The dog laughs maniacally to itself as he inches closer and closer.
"Now Anon, run!" Trixie says to you, and just like that, the two of you bolt. Trixie falls behind from you however, her injuries slowing her down with each step.
You look behind to see the dog running full force to you both, a lust for hunger in his eyes. Trixie pants in pain as she slows more and more down. She falls down to the ground as the pain in her hooves is to much to bare.
"Trixie come on we have to keep going!"
"I-I can't!.... Leave me here, I won't do any good slowing you down!"
"Like hell I'm leaving you! We can't be that far from your house, just a little more!"
You try and lift her back up but each time she yells out in pain and slumps back down. You see the dog running closer to your position and you have no choice but to stand your ground. You get in front of the battered pony and put your stance into a fight position.
"Anon what are you doing? Go you idiot, now!"
"I said I'm not leaving you, what kind of person would I be if I ran away and left you here? Like it or not Trixie, I'm not about to have you die on me and that's final!"
"Anon..." Trixie says. Not another word leaving her lips, looking at you with hope and an awe struck expression.
The dog stops feet away from you with a bit of confusion, before seeing the weak mare before you.
"Aw you really trying to protect your girly huh? How sweet if not so utterly stupid. You had a chance to run away prince charming."
You stand your ground, eying him threateningly, fists ready to attack. The grey hound notices his advances aren't scaring you off and changes tactics.
"Hell how about this, lets make a deal. You look like a bright guy so I'd hope you accept this offer wisely, you let me have little miss blueberry here and I'll let you off scot free, honestly, she really isn't worth all this trouble so just let me have her yeah?"
"Just do it Anon, like he said I'm not worth the trouble and I don't want you to get hurt because of my foolish decisions." She says once more out of desperation and sadness, she would rather see herself get hurt rather then the both of you.
"I'm not letting even a scratch get on her. You either deal with me or leave." You tell the animal with anger rising in your voice. Adrenaline and fear are running through your body but you can't afford to just leave some pony in need, you don't know if you can win against a beast such as this but you have to try, for her sake.
Be it the confidence in your body language and voice or because the dog doesn't want to get hurt, he retreats, running back from the direction in which he came. You wait for him to be out of sight before turning your attention to the blue unicorn, she notices you glance over toward her and looks down to the ground, holding her bandaged hoof with the other.
"Trixie, can you get up?" You ask with care and worry
"I don't... know."
"Well come on lets try."
You have her hoof grab around your neck as you try to put her on her hooves again, she yelps with pain at this motion and you place her back down gently as to not hurt her more then she already is.
"It's... It's ok. we've had a quite a walk today anyway, it's best we call it here for the night." You tell her as you look around for sticks of any kind to start a small fire. It seems you won't be leaving anytime soon so you decide to make rest here.
"Finally! Got it!" You say to yourself as the fire finally kicks off. "And not a moment too soon either, it's almost night." You tell Trixie who's body is still slumped and face looking down at the ground. You sit down opposite to her and watch her blankly look at the fire, wondering what all she could be thinking.
You both sit there next to the fire warming up from the cold air now exposed to you. A couple moments pass before a single word is said between the two of you.
"I'm.... I'm sorry Anon. I didn't mean for any of this to happen, if you never found me none of this... I mean I wouldn't have put you in such..." Trixie tries to form what she's trying to say but ends up mixing her sentences together. You know that she's had a heavy day and she's probably just a mixed bag of emotions. You don't blame her however because it's honestly been wild for you too.
"It's not your fault Trixie." You try and reassure her.
"How could you say that? I'm the one who had you come into the woods, I'm the one who's had to be your baggage and be dragged everywhere you go. How could you say it isn't my fault? I'm a good for nothing mare, something I've always been good at."
You couldn't hear past her saying she's good for nothing as she'd seemed to mumble it under her breath; as if she's going into a territory she doesn't want to cross. It doesn't matter to you however because you've heard enough.
"Trixie, I absolutely mean it when I say, nothing about any of this is your fault. I understand what you had to do to survive. Climbing up that tree was the only way to escape those predators. You're brave for coming back in these woods after knowing the risk you were taking. You ran like hell too! That's an achievement in of itself."
"But... If you were to never of find me there..."
"I wouldn't have met such a great mare."
You finish off shocking her with your words. Honestly you aren't to sure if your choice of words were right for this occasion but you said what felt right.
She looks at you across the fire and smiles gently, her eyelids lowering with softness at your sentence. The night goes on with the fire crackling in the small pit. The day you feel somehow got a little brighter as the two of you are now content with the situation at hand.
After what seems like hours of walking you finally see it.
"Ah hah! There it is!" The unicorn shouts in excitement pointing with her hoof at what appears to be a wagon of some sort.
"C'mon hurry up Anon!"
Without another word the two of you walk quickly to the sturdy wood shaped wagon, hoping this'll be the end of your long journey for you both.
Moving closer you see a smashed window in your view.
"Trixie, what happened to your place? Did those animals cause this?"
"Not exactly, no. I.. I don't really want to talk about it."
"You know you don't have to be so secretive with me. I'm not going to judge you."
"No I know... I mean... yes I know you wouldn't judge me it's just that isn't very important and honestly you wouldn't care."
"Oh come on now.... Oh wait a minute I get what's going on!" You say confidently thinking that you actually know what happened.
"You do?" Trixie says confused
"Uh-huh, you probably accidentally jumped out the window didn't you?" You say with the masterclass of an amateur detective.
Trixie looks at you dumbfounded and annoyed with your explanation.
"Anon."
"Yeah?"
"Why would I jump through my own window." She says with not an ounce of worry or doubt in her voice. Maybe she didn't?
"Well, uh... ponies sleepwalk don't they? Maybe you uh.... sleepwalked through the window and are to embarrassed to admit it?" You say to her with yourself not even believing your own words now.
"Yes Anon you got me, I jumped through the window." She says still as deadpan and annoyed as before
Success!
"Ah-hah! I knew it! See? Don't you feel better now that you let the truth come out?"
Trixie doesn't say a word and rolls her eyes with a small giggle escaping her mouth.
"Come on Anon, lets just go inside." She tells you as the two of you walk right up to the door. She tries to open it with her hooves but is still too weak from her injuries.
"Here let me."
She looks at you with content as you reach your hand down on her hoof to move it away before opening it yourself. She doesn't seem to mind your gesture however and doesn't say a word.
Opening the door, you're greeted to the sight of a small but cozy home. Glass pieces reign on the floor as you both watch your step and motion towards her bed where she eagerly lays down at.
"Ahhh finally." Looking relaxed Trixie smiles to herself whilst trying to get comfy on her small fluffy square bed and notices you staring.
"You know, I don't usually let just anyone in my home but exceptions are exceptions and since you've shown your generosity to Trixie it's only fair she returns the favor."
"Gee thanks your highness." You mutter under your breath.
"Come again Anon?" She says blinking rapidly at you.
"Nothing oh so gracious one."
"That's more like it." She says playfully in response.
"So on to a different subject." You say to her as her ears perk up to hear what you have to say.
"How are your hooves, back, and stomach feeling? I don't want to go if you aren't able to take care of yourself properly and to leave you here in such a state probably wouldn't be a good idea."
"I appreciate you worrying for me Anon but really I think I should be fine. If anything I'd most likely be worse off if you didn't bandage my wounds."
"Well that's good. Before I leave though we really need to do something about that window, it isn't good to leave it open like that."
"No Anon it's ok really I-"
"I insist. Don't worry, I'll have that thing patched up in no time!" You say to her with a smile, she returns one back to you and looks a bit to the side, her eyes still gauged on you.
"Besides, we can't have you jumping through broken windows now can we?"
Trixie sighs and shakes her head slowly at your comment.
"Phew, well it ain't pretty but it'll do." You say at your finished work. The windows are boarded up with planks of wood nailed tightly to it. You also made sure to clean up the glass around the area so Trixie doesn't end up hurting herself.
"Well uh... it's certainly something." Trixie says behind you still laying in bed.
"Anyhow I should be heading back home right about now, I have work tomorrow and I can't really afford to be late."
"Yeah... Yeah I guess you should." Shuffling a hoof across her bed she looks disappointed as she says that.
"Trixie? You ok?" Worriedly you ask to make sure she's fine as the sudden change of mood is a little off putting to you.
Ignoring you, Trixie asks her own question. "Anon can I ask you a question? Like a serious question?"
"I mean yah sure."
"Why do all this?"
"Come again?" You ask not getting her meaning.
"Ugh you're dense. Never mind just forget I said anything, really."
"Trixie I don't-"
"I said it doesn't matter. You need to get back home right? It's getting dark out so you better hurry before it's too late. I know first hoof how important being on time can be."
She's right, as if just being oblivious or the fact not registering in your mind, it's sunset out which means there isn't a lot of time to get home.
"Well I'm glad you're home safe that's all that matters. In any case I should still have a bit more time before it gets too dark out but you're right, I really should go. For what it's worth though Trixie I'm glad I was able to meet somepony new, even if it was through unfortunate circumstances."
She doesn't say a word to you after this, only looking down at her bed as you pass her to head for the door. "Goodbye Trixie."
You say to her as you close the door behind you. It could be your imagination but you're sworn you could've heard somebody faintly call your name as you close the door to leave.
-------*------- Trixie lays alone watching the only creature she could ever imagine being a friend to her leave just like that. The closing of the door brought the loneliness back into her heart as if someone special to her disappeared from existence.
The only sounds she's accompanied to now is of the wind blowing through the cracks of the now boarded up window that was broken by a mob of angry townsfolk who wanted her gone. All she's ever tried to do in her life was have people respect her, love the sight of her, be the one that could lift your spirits up when you were down. But this is what reality is. A cold dose of it. Nothing in her mind could ever replace the pain, embarrassment, and pure misery that found her anywhere that she'd go. Cold, deathly silence fills the air as the only thing that seemingly ever cared about her, walked out of sight.
It's not that she didn't want to tell Anon the truth, in fact she did, but the embarrassment and disappointment heavy on her mind just couldn't let the truth break. He found out the hard way as to why she was so scared up in that tree and she honestly never wanted him to know that. To her it's better to just keep to yourself then to let your emotions slip and she is good at hiding that.
She'd never say it out loud, be it her pride, arrogance, or cockiness but she knows what Anon did for her and in her mind is very grateful for it. She knows the amount he went out of his way for just to see it that she'd be safe and she feels terrible for it. A big part of her wanted for him to stay, like her heart was gravitated to this strange entity that fate brought into her life, if only she had the courage to ask him to come back and stay with her for just a minute longer. This creature she had met just a short while ago is the only thing to have brung her isolated heart happiness in such a long time.
She looks to the desk where all her gear for and from future and past performances lie, reminiscing of how her life before being a magician was nothing more then working like a race horse in her room in solitude day and night just so her mom and dad would finally respect her. Her hat and coat sit afar from her on the side of her wall, with dirt and holes littered in the fabric from the angry towns' ponies. It sits there like a stain of her past failures, never recognized and now as dirty and broken as she is.
Trixie looks down at her wrapped up hooves seeing the dirt, filth, and bloodstains that cover them, she still hasn't a clue as to why out of every pony in Equestria he would tend to her injuries but it doesn't matter as to why because in her mind she wouldn't ever be able to ask those questions now. He's gone after all, her only friend she's ever had is gone.
-------*------- "Come one, come all, to see the great and generous Trixie perform not one, not two, no not even three, but four of the most wonderful magic tricks Equestria has ever seen! Come see me, Trixie!"
Trixie flamboyantly and excitedly chants on stage as a crowd of dragons gather around waiting for this wild and brave pony to begin her show. Cheering breaks out amongst the lot who eagerly await the performance.
"Well I see I've garnered quite a people, very well, witness my power and be in awe at the amazing magic you may only see once in a lifetime!"
She gives it her all like she always does. Tying rope into different shapes, throwing things with her levitation into a blaze of magic fireworks, she really does love what she does even if not all are impressed of her tricks, she knows at the very least that the few in the world embrace her performance with open arms but unfortunately, not the majority. Though her performance's can "wow" some it doesn't always mean they like her, in fact mostly everypony in Equestria thinks that she's just no good, be it a perceived first impression from word of mouth or her attitude she gives off.
But she isn't bad, no of course not, she's only built up a wall towards people as to not get hurt. What good does opening up to people do if they all just stab you in the flank in the end? Well nothing that's what. It's good to be alone. It's good to not have any friends. It's good to not be hurt.
"Woo yah woo hoo!" The dragons ring out at the end of her last trick. She looks off smug and smiling at them as she bows her head down to the floor and closes the curtains. The perceived confidence in her voice and on her face has yet again acted in her favor. Nothing but a dim light fills the stage from the closed curtains as her face changes to one of exhaustion and doubt. She can mask her emotions on stage sure, but she can't fool herself. Deep down she knows who she is, what she is. Just a lonely pony with no friends or family to show for her work. A circus clown to most and a fraud to others.
Trixie sets up for the night back at her wagon. A tow connects her home to the portable stage that follows it. Back in a desserted area and by herself, she moves aside her performance tools and empties her pouch on to her desk to check all that she's earned for the day. Gold coins rain out one by one and the cold air breathes in from the now boarded up window. It's all that she's used to by this point, nothing to bother her and no one wanting to. She finds herself alone once again, staring blankly in to the dark night that waits for her to sleep. She climbs into her soft bed with hooves neatly tucked under the covers and hopes that the next day will bring her more happiness then the last.
Wooden wheels roll on the ground as the mare in front of it pulls along her wagon with the power of her unicorn magic. The breeze feels nice today on her fur considering the fact of how nervous she is. Mixed with emotions only the most excited ponies would feel.
"Phew ok Trixie this is it, your big break, you can do this!" The mare says to herself psyching up her mind for the show in front of her. She knows this city well enough to know it won't be easy winning over anybody that watches her; this is where she grew up after all.
Beautiful scenery shows itself all around her as she walks past them. Street lights shine as bright as the night can let it. Stores as fancy and decorous as the eye can behold are followed by her frantic eyes. Anything to get her mind off the pressure is enough for her to think about.
Arriving at the location in question, the nervous unicorn looks ahead to see just how many have come to watch. Hundreds of rich and pompous ponies of all ages are standing by waiting for the first timer to begin her act. The thought of finally being something people can admire is almost too much to bare for the small mare; being able to show off all that she's practiced, years upon years learning and studying. It all comes down to this very moment, in her mind nothing else matters.
The crowd grows increasingly silent as the showmare begins her trot up stage, the only sounds she's accompanied to now is of her own hoof steps meeting the wood planks and the rapid beating of her own heart. She notices a stray nail sticking out from one of the boards and cautiously steps around it as to not have an accident.
"Am I shaking? I'm not shaking am I? Is my hair messy? No, no definitely not. What about my face? Am I making a weird face?" All these thoughts seep into her mind like a bad omen. If it was her call she would love to feel as calm and collected as possible. Stopping front and center of the stage she fixes her posture and looks the crowd straight in the eye.
"Come on Trixie, it's now or never."
The stage lights beam down on her and just like that she whips her cape back and raises a hoof in the air on que to announce her presence. This is it, her time to show the world what she's got has come. Nobody can stop her, this is her passion!
"Ladies and gentlecolts!" She announces confidence oozing in every letter that comes out. "I have for you today a show you will not forget! A jaw dropping and once in a lifetime experience by the one and only Trixie Lulamoon!" And just like that her first trick is performed, sparkles light the sky as she she lifts up both hooves with ambition. The crowd watches in awe as the colorful light fills the stage not looking away for even a second.
All the instruments she has to perform her tasks are tucked away neatly from the crowds view until she's ready to unleash them, objects of all sort are here and ready to make an impression on these ponies. She knows she can do it, she has to.
The show goes on and all acts performed are enough to win over the crowd. She makes balloon animals move on command with her magic and gives them to all the little fillies in the audience who are delighted at the fact. Everything she had practiced and rehearsed go off with flying colors.
Her moment is finally here. Finally the ponies of this city will shout her name with enthusiasm and anticipation as the one and only Trixie shows herself to the world. Friends, she'll have friends galore wanting to talk to her, about her! The world seemed so bleak in her mind until today, a change of pace for Trixie and the crowd alike as they've never seen something quite like this before in ages.
Continuing on, every trick is expertly and calculatedly done by her own hooves with a seam of professionalism that she can not afford to settle for less. Years and years of her parents belittling her, shooting her down for not ever making something of herself, well now's the time to show them wrong, for them to finally embrace 'Trixie Lulamoon' Their only daughter with open hooves.
"And for my last trick, a volunteer will be needed! Anypony is welcome!" Hooves are raised with glee as the ponies in the audience anxiously await to be picked. "Ah ha! You will do wonderfully!" A light is shined upon a small green frame sitting 2nd row in the back of the area.
The fillie's surprise turns into excitement as they race up the stage as fast as their little hooves could muster. The filly and Trixie look at each other, Trixie smiling with friendliness and compassion. "Are you ready?' Trixie whispers to them and they nod their head with vigour.
"Ahem. Then I bring you my most finest trick of them all!" A snake in a cage is brought out and the crowd gasps in terror at the sight of it. Trixie never had anyone to actually practice this trick with so she used a pony made out of mannequin parts that she was able to find by pure chance. Still she's confident she can pull this off, she's raised the snake well enough to perform all kinds of tricks and this is just one of many.
"A-Are you sure about this ma'am?"
"Don't worry, everything is under control." She whispers assurance to the now nervous filly as they stare cautiously at the scaly animal. She knows this is the one trick she absolutely cannot mess up.
She lets the scaly animal out of its cage and has it crawl on her, directing its movements with a wand that she has held in her mouth; she has it do a few tricks and gives the snake a peanut with every one performed. The audience is astonished by how well the snake is behaving with some of them letting out collective "oooohs" at each trick the snake performs.
"Wha-What are you doing?"
"It's ok trust me! You'll be fine!"
She has the filly hold the snake and they do so hesitantly, guiding the snake around with her wand it all seems like it's going as planned. She moves around and around back in forth having it's gaze be upon her and her alone.
But as if fate itself couldn't let this moment have a good end Trixie trips backwards onto the nail that's poking up from the ground and she loses her balance. She tries to catch her bearings but it's too late as the blue pony falls back and off the stage to ground level where the audience has gathered. The next thing she knows everypony is screaming in horror at what Trixie presumed to be her falling but was actually something much, much worse.
To the misfortune of the situation the snake is quickly euthanized by stallions and mares in uniform and the filly is now carried away quickly on a gurney as they try for their life to stay alive. In an instant her whole performance was now nothing more then a horror scene.
"N-No... Oh Celestia no... h-how could this- how did this- I didn't mean to..."
Screams are now the only sound the distraught mare could hear as panic ensues and everyone runs off until it's nothing but Trixie who remains. The lights aren't shining anymore, the mare that was once excited is no more; she sits alone at the front of the stage, confusion, self-hatred, anger, and sadness fills her once hopeful heart. Crying is heard from outside from all the different ponies. Her one shot to make a name for herself, is now demolished by her own mistakes. She finds herself alone once again in a town that already abandoned her. She failed the only thing she thought she was good at and the tall house she'd built in such as short time, was now destroyed by her own four hooves.
-------*------- Wooden wheels roll on the ground as the mare in front of it pulls along her wagon with the power of her unicorn magic. The breeze feels nice today on her fur considering the fact of how nervous she is. It's the first time in years that she's managed to come back to her old town. Moving up the hill she can see the welcoming sign in the distance that looks so graciously inviting.
Her heart beats faster and her body begins to ache as if it's telling her to turn away, but be it her prideful nature, she won't listen to her instincts. The blue pony nears her old familiar land and steps slowly, cautiously, one by one.
Trixie hopes enough time has gone by where the people here will forgive her; though she was never kicked out to begin with, she felt immense shame of ever showing her minty blue mane here again.
The town is as clear now as it ever was, the same old flashy lights on the fancy stores greet her with bright intensity, it's nostalgic if not sad.
Trixie looks to a sign that reads 'mobile home parking' and begins down that path. RV's and trailers alike are scattered about everywhere, of course there would be, this town is a tourists paradise.
"Hello ma'am!" Trixie is greeted by a mare of exquisite fashion. "Will you be staying with us long?"
"Just a couple days I suppose." Trixie responds to her in a friendly manner.
"Alrighty, well I'll tell you first hand Canterlot is a beautiful place to stay. This is where all the highest class of ponies resign! You can find all types of unique and interesting pieces of history here including but not limited to-"
"Uh that's ok I really don't need to hear it." Trixie interrupts trying to be as polite but straight to the point as possible.
"Oh sorry I can get carried away sometimes." The mare chuckles to herself. "Well don't let me keep you. Oh and don't worry about paying you can do it anytime you want!"
"Ok thanks."
Trixie begins to walk past the mare until she suddenly speaks again. "Oh ma'am!" She calls out to Trixie. Trixie turns around to greet her once again now with a bit of a frustrated look. "One more thing excuse me for forgetting but we have all our residents names printed down, just so we can keep track of everyone and all. So we just need your name and you'll be all set!" The mare says to her with a grin, not missing a beat at all.
"It's Trixie..."
The mare looks up from the paper she uses to mark down all the names. The mares eyes widen at the sound of her name like something bad just happened. Trixie notices her expression and treads carefully.
"Trixie? And last name?"
"....Hushlight. Trixie Hushlight."
Relief visibly washes over her as she marks Trixie's name down. No comfort in knowing the ponies in this town have forgiven but she trots along alas. Trixie continues on to find a place to set her home down and to rest her sore body, she'd been trotting along for a long while. She finds a place by a family of three and sets up besides them. Placing her wagon down she stretches her back muscles and makes sure to latch the portable home down to the ground before calling it for the night. She isn't too certain of how things will pan out here and frankly she's quite scared but she'll do this, whether her body wants to or not.
"Phewie! Another hard workin' day on the field ay Anon?" Applejacks voice rings out in satisfaction as another long winded day roles around.
"Man I'll say, just happy to finally have a couple days off, what have we been going on now six days?"
"Yah six days on the count. You should be used to this by now Anon, work's good for you ya know, gives you some exercise to workout yer body." Applejack says to you trying bring light to what is in your mind, an exhausting position.
"Eyup." Her big brother says with an agreeable tone.
"If you guys say so, at any rate I'm tired as can be so I'm gonna "hit the hay."
Applejack gives you an unsatisfactory look as your pun didn't really seem to be as funny as it was in your head.
"You know because horses eat.... ok I'm going now."
Turning away, you walk toward your home before Applejack hesitantly calls for your name.
"Wait Anon before ya go."
"Yeah what's up?"
"Well I hate to ask ya this as I know you really been wantin' some days off and all but.... Ah celery sticks I'll just say it, there's been an unexpected order coming from afar and was really wonderin' if you could run up these apples to this customer in the next couple'a days."
Distraught flows through your body after hearing her words. "Wait really? I mean with all due respect AJ why can't you or Big Mac do this?"
"Ya I thought you'd ask that. Truth is Anon winter's comin' soon and me and Mac over here gotta get as many apples off these trees before that happens and uh well..."
"I get it, you guys can get all the apples off the trees faster because you can buck them right?"
"Sorry Anon, I really feel bad about doin' this to ya but just know we won't skip out on an extra day of pay for this."
"It's fine AJ. When do you want me to deliver them by?"
"They say they'll be expectin' them in the next couple of days so preferably tomorrow?"
"Wait, the next couple of days? This pony lives in Ponyvile though right?"
She stays silent and looks off to the side scratching behind her neck with a hoof. Something tells you this won't be a quick and easy deal.
"*Sigh* well let's just hope they pay good."
"Oh they will trust me." The orange mare reassures you as you call it for the day and go to bed before coming back to the farm tomorrow.
The next day roles around and you get up from your bed reluctantly knowing what you need to do today.
"Would've been really nice to have the day off today." You think to yourself as you lazily put yourself together and head out the door for the day ahead.
"Canterlot?! You want me to go all the way to Canterlot?!" You say loud with surprise and confusion in your voice.
"I know it's not the best of circumstances Anon and frankly we rarely get any orders outside of Ponyvile. I promise you though since this is a special delivery you'll get a nice sum of payment for yer troubles."
You take a deep breath and pull yourself together before speaking.
"Alright AJ, don't know how long I'll be gone for so expect me to show back up with the bits in a couple days."
"Ya I'm expectin' that, and thank you again Anon, I know you really been wantin' yer days off and believe me after this there won't be a lot of work to do back at the farm. Me and Mac will gather as many apples as we can before winter comes and after that who knows how long it'll take for the trees to grow more."
You both say your goodbyes and walk out of the farm. Your next stop is Canterlot and you have a feeling this isn't going to be an ordinary delivery.
-------*------- Scenery of grass, trees, and animals alike fly by as soon as you're able to catch a glimpse. An engine roars loudly as the wheels under it tread like a speeding bullet. It's been a couple hours since you first got on the train ride from Ponyvile to Canterlot and nothing too exciting has came from it either. You sit by yourself on a seat by a window, it doesn't seem like to many ponies got on as train station was almost vacant as far as you could see. Sure there were couples and families waiting for the train with you but not nearly as much as you thought there would be going to a place as fancy and luxurious as Canterlot.
Honestly you can't stand these entitled rich ponies who think their flank don't stink which is a reason you loathe traveling here in the first place. Well that and of course your supposed days off weren't days off after all and are instead overtime. You think to yourself that you can't blame AJ for this, it's not her fault some weirdo put an order all the way in Ponyvile. If anything, you just find it strange that somepony who lives in such a high class place such as Canterlot would want anything to do with Ponyvile, especially from a "no good lower class earth pony" or that's how you think they see any creature that doesn't have a horn atop their head anyway.
The train slows down as the next stop is approaching. You pick up the basket full of apples and head toward the exiting area. Off the train you can see tall buildings made from fancy material you don't quite know of and crowds of ponies walking to and fro different locations.
Contemplating what your next move should be you finally decide to book in a hotel close enough from where the train station is. "The Stallion's and Mare's inn" Is marked on a big colorful sign in front of a tall building.
You head inside and make arrangements to get a room. The stallion working explains to you all sorts of things you can do in Canterlot but you honestly couldn't care enough to listen. The stallion hands over keys to a room on the second floor.
After going in and settling down in your room, you decide to find the customer who wants these apples and give him or her their order as soon as you can.
Though it was quite a distance away you find the pony's house and knock a couple times on their door. Opening it, you see an elder mare who graciously accepts the apples and offers to give you a tip in the process. You decline even though she insists but end up taking the extra cash anyway because you were pretty sure you weren't going to be able to leave without finally just accepting it anyway.
Leaving the premises, you decide to find a place to eat before you head back to your own room. You haven't eaten all day and your stomach feels like a bottomless pit.
-------*------- Trixie sits in an almost empty restaurant that she used to frequent a lot back when she was a little filly. Decorations hang high and the atmosphere rushes back to her like a wave of nostalgia. Her parents would take her here sometimes and it was one of the best experiences she had as a little girl. She didn't have a lot of good memories of her parents but I guess it's why this place is so special to her. Spending time with her mom and dad actually made her feel loved and wanted.
*Ring ding*
The opening of the door hits the bell with an old familiar chime that Trixie is oh so used to. She looks up from her daydreaming and reminiscing to see a strange, tall creature emerge from the doors.
"Is that." Trixie is completely dumbfounded to see who she believes to be someone she'd never think of seeing again.
"Anon." She says with the words almost escaping instinctively as if she can't believe what she's seeing.
Just as quickly as she says it he looks over to the direction where he heard his name being called.
"Trixie?" Anon calls outs in confusion. There's no mistaking that mint blue mane, he knew who it was.
Anon makes his away over to her and sits on the opposite side of the booth.
"What are you doing in Canterlot?" Anon asks.
"I should be asking you the same question! You know the ponies here have a sort of eh-hem 'problem' with anyone that isn't a born unicorn no less something that isn't a pony!" She exclaims to you thinking to herself how much of a bad idea it is for anyone to come here who isn't drowning in bits.
"Yeah, yeah, save me the story." Anon begrudgingly says. "I'm here for 'work reasons' and hopefully will be out of here quickly."
"What kind of work could have brought you here?" Trixie asks.
"Well I don't have the work related package anymore but lets just say that I'm thankfully done with what I had to do."
"Well why come here?" Trixie asks once more.
"Huh?" Anon doesn't understand what she means.
Trixie rolls her eyes and sighs before continuing. "I mean to this restaurant."
"Oh well that's easy. I am very hungry and just saw this place as the closest thing. Anyway I'd better order and go, it's getting late and I don't want to be out when the weird ponies are."
Anon gets up and turns away as he presumably walks toward the counter to start ordering.
Trixie finds herself with the same emotion she had when Anon was leaving her wagon, the feeling of loneliness. She doesn't want him to go again, at least not for right now.
"You know, Anon..." She stops him in his tracks as he looks back to her.
"I wouldn't mind if, I mean since no pony else is here I think it would be, uhm what I'm trying to say is-"
"Ugh. What is wrong with me? Now I can't even form a sentence? Why would he want to sit with me anyway? It's not like he cares about me right? I mean I don't either..... right?" Her mind tries to find a reason as to why she's asking such a frivolous question.
"Uh Trixie, you alright?"
Trixie snaps back to reality as she's seen by Anon not saying a word.
"Ahem, yes I'm fine why wouldn't Trixie be fine? I'm doing just fine. Thank you for asking. Trixie is fine."
"Umm ok. Well what were you going to ask before you got trapped in dreamland?"
"Oh uh. I was just going to ask if you could find a booth that doesn't block the view of the ponies? Trixie loves her view you know."
"Huh? Trixie, I told you I was just going to pick up. I'll be out of here in a few don't worry." Anon says to Trixie who's looking a bit strange.
Trixie watches as Anon gets his food and heads for the door.
*Ring ding*
And just like that Trixie is left without saying a word. She wanted him to sit with her she really did, then why? Why couldn't she just say the right words? Did she change her mind? No of course not. Maybe it's because she just didn't want the company? No, that couldn't be it. She tries her best not to ponder on it for too long as the pressure of what's coming up is already a lot for her. She finishes up her food and heads towards the door, knowing that what she's going to do next will not be easy.
"Oh I hope this is it." Trixie says to herself hooves shaking uncontrollably as she nears the door to her parents house. It had been years since she'd last seen them, she's not quite sure how they'd react to their own daughter after all this time.
*beeep*
The doorbell sounds off as Trixie's hoof comes down from the object and places her hoof right back down eagerly awaiting the opening of the door. The door opens slowly as Trixie puts a a big smile on her face.
"Yes who is it?" A stallion with a suit and a slicked back mane says.
"Uh is this the right place? I'm looking for my mom and dad and-"
"Name?" The stallion answers abruptly
"Trixie."
"One moment." The door closes and in the distance talking is heard from a couple of ponies in the house.
"Alright, come in." The stallion says.
Entering the house Trixie is brought back with memories of her childhood spent in this house, day and night working as hard as her little heart could take just to please her mom and dad.
Standing in the middle of the living room, Trixie see's a familiar face.
"Mom!?" Trixie's voice rings out as she see's her mom for the first time in years.
"Trixie? What on Celestia's green earth are you doing here?"
Trixie's mom stumbles over herself and her words. It seems she has been drinking quite heavily. For Trixie it's just the same mom she's been used to all her life.
"I came to see you mom, and dad too of course. It's just that it's been so long since I've come in contact with you guys that I was worried and-"
"And you chose tonight of all nights?" Trixie's mom replies in a disgruntled voice
"W-Well I just came to tell you how my life was going and all. I've made some big progress with my magic performances since last time you've seen me and-"
"Still going on with these magic shows of yours? Honestly Trixie when will you learn that only foals like that kind of thing. My daughter should have had some standards by now. You made me and your father the laughing stock for months on end. You could have made something with what you call 'your life' but you still choose to waste it on such idiotic immature things."
"W-Where is dad?" Trixie says trying to ignore her mothers harsh words.
"Who knows, probably getting it on with some broke mare he picked up off the street. Haven't seen that bastard for Celestia knows how long and I tend to keep it that way."
"Wait, you and dad are..."
"Didn't you see the lovely stallion who answered the door? Yes we're donezo, thankfully."
"I... I can't believe it." Trixie feels her heart sink to the bottom of her stomach with the devastating news. She still stands firm and strong, hiding any negative emotion that may leave her vulnerable.
"Believe it kiddo. Listen are you gonna take too long? Me and mister handsome have some things planned for tonight."
"B-But what about me? D-Don't you want to hear more about where I've been? Where I've traveled? I came all this way to see you, I missed you a lot mom."
"It's always about you ain't it? Even as a kid you were too self-absorbed with yourself. Good heavens Trixie when will you learn to just grow up? Not everything is about you ya know? You have any idea what I had to put up with? The sacrifices I made for you, only for you to what? Barge right back in like you own the damn place? I'm sick of it and honestly I tried to be nice but I can't stand you anymore! No daughter of mine is some low class mule studying toys as a career. You're an embarrassment Trixie, a huge stain on my image."
Trixie stands there awe struck, doing everything in her power to fight back the tears developing within her. She thought this could be a second chance, a reuniting with her only family; though to them she was always just some baggage waiting to be let go. A no good mare that isn't worth the mud under their own hooves.
"I'm only what you've made me!" Trixie lashes out at her mother for the first time in her life. Adrenaline pumping through her body as the scared mare let's out all the anger she's been holding back for years.
"I've tried everything I could for you and dad to love me, for you to show at least a little ounce of respect for your daughter! I spent months and years in my room trying to perfect my passion, hoping that one day it'll all be worth it in the end! Bullied... Bullied every. Single. Day of my life by the mares and stallions at my school and wanting to come home to my loving mother with open arms but I got none of it! Everything I did, I did for you and dad. I... I loved you guys. Nothing else in the world mattered but hoping that you had somepony you could tell your friends "yup that's my daughter" and be proud of. I see now that my mother is nothing but a worthless skank!"
*BAM*
The next few moments Trixie tries to come to what happened. The side of her face wallops in pain as a bright red spot shows itself on her cheek. She stands firm, looking at her mother through tear soaked eyes.
"Get out of my house." Trixie's mom says threateningly. Anger and disgust are the only things seen on her moms face.
"I never loved you. You were destined to be a failure. a rat. A circus act. Now. Get out of my house or Celestia knows what I'm going to do."
Trixie's final moments are looking at the woman who gave birth to her with sadness and despair on her face. She turns away and makes a dash for the door and slams it with all her might.
-------*------- "Hey! Get back here!" You yell out as you begin to chase the thief that stole your food. A once simple walk home turned into some sort of action movie as you and the thief run as fast as you both could.
Through alley's and corridor's alike, there's just no catching this pony. Speed wasn't your strength but you didn't know you were this slow. Running for what seems like forever, you lose sight of them as the night makes it hard to see anything in front of you.
"Y-You... got to be... kidding." You say in-between broken breaths as you definitely feel you've got your workout in for the day.
"Ah man where the heck am I?" You look around at your surroundings, unfamiliar with the territory. It doesn't look like you're anywhere near your hotel. Now starving and lost, you make your way back trying to find any resemblance in the scenery that could lead you back to your short term home.
Walking back without even a cricket to be heard you hear some sort of noise off in the distance. "Is that... crying?" You think to yourself as the noise becomes more and more audible.
Walking closer to the source, you're now stopped right in front of a patch of woods that lead toward a lake. You have second thoughts about proceeding as you really don't feel like getting mugged tonight, or even worse, killed, but your eagerness commands you forth and you head in anyway.
The trees wave slowly and steadily almost as they're mimicking the speed of your pace and light shines through the beautifully green leaves as each step you take lightly crackles with the dirt around you.
Nearing closer to the sound you can make out a black silhouette sitting next to a tree, a limb covering their face and shaking with fear you presume. "Maybe it's the thief?" A brief thought comes to your mind as you wonder if you might've scared them off in the woods. But why crying?
Closer, and closer, you see that mint colored mane with the one and only unique cutie mark sat upon her flank. "Trixie! Oh no what happened!?" You say without even thinking, running to her for comfort.
"Who... *sniff* goes there? The great and powerful Trixie w-will not be disturbed, you hear me? Go now as I have mercy for you." She tries to sound convincing but through the shakiness of her voice and insincerity of her words, she sound nothing more then a mess.
"Trixie it's ok it's me."
"A-Anon?" She moves her hoof away from her face to see yours. Her eyes sparkle with sadness filled tears, but to you they look beautiful. She stares at you not mustering a single word, you can't even imagine what she's feeling right now and honestly, you don't know. The two of you look in each others eyes for a few moments before speaking.
"I heard crying and I came to investigate the noise, had no idea I'd find you of all ponies here." You say calmly with worry traveling in your voice.
She looks down to the ground, seemingly embarrassed before responding. "C-C-Crying? M-Me? The great and m-magnificent Trixie would never..... would never...." Her whole body tenses up as she fights the urge to show emotion. Fear sounding heavy in her words. "J-Just go Anon. I.... I'm f-f-fine. P-Please now, go."
You move right next to her and sit down. "Trixie, it's alright, I'm here for you now, let it all out. I won't leave you, not now." You comfort her, petting her uncontrollable shaking back to try and calm her down.
She slowly looks back up at you, a sad and confused look planted on her face. "W-Why me Anon? Why me?"
"What do you mean Trixie? I didn't mean any harm I was just checking on yo-"
"I mean... why do you care so much..... why do you care so much about.... me?" Her lips quiver and her face contorts as she seems to almost be at the breaking point. "N-No Trixie stay strong. Y-You are a strong mare, a talented mare... N-Not now don't... C-C-C-"
A warm feeling fills your sides as the blue unicorn wraps her hooves around you with longing. "Why Anon, why?" She cries out, her face snuggled tightly in your stomach as she lets out all that she had been holding in. You can feel her body twitch with every gasp of air she lets out in between sobs. You hold her close to you, petting her soft mane gently with every stroke.
"I didn't want any of this!" She exclaims. "I just wanted to be normal! Something ponies everywhere could admire! To show a bit of decency for! I wanted friends.... any friends! To not be hated everywhere I go! Why then, just why?! Why did I have to be born into this life, into this body, 'Trixie Lulamoon', a burden to Equestria! Nothing more then a tragic comedy act for creatures all over to laugh at!.... I just wanted a good life. Is that to much to ask?"
Her crying sends you into depression filled guilt as you have no idea what would have caused her to act like this all of a sudden. Undoubtedly she came here to the woods to be alone but you can't leave her like this, not when she's in such a manic state. You have to try to help her in any way you can.
"Don't say that Trixie. You are not a burden and never will be." She digs her face out of your stomach and looks up at you with bewilderment; her face looking puffy and red from all the energy and tears she'd been exerting.
"I may not have a lot of friends like you do but I know well enough that you aren't a bad mare. You are brave and strong, a beautiful mare with a confident personality. I'm not sure what's made you so upset and frankly right now I don't care, all that matters to me is to see it that whatever obstacles you might be facing, that I can help you with them one step at a time."
You look down at her whilst saying all this and give her a soft smile. She looks at a lose for words as her face turns from sadness to one of hope and happiness. Her eyes reflect off the riverbank down from the woods as the moon's bright white light shines deeply in her pupils. You both stare deeply at each other with Trixie's only sounds being soft and quick sniffles.
A few moments pass as she seemingly snaps out of her trance like state and slowly wraps her blue hooves around your waist, her face coming in contact with your stomach once again but this time it's out of care, not just comfort. You return the sentiment as you grip her back softly with your hands and bring her into an embrace. She still shakes but it's few and far between now. You both hold each other and look off to the water without saying a word. A part of you would like this moment to last forever, as you think you've finally found someone to hold on to.
The wind fills the tree's as the only sound you're accompanied to now is of the soft gentle breeze of the air.
Light fills your closed eyes as you hear the sounds of nature around you.
"Ugh morning already?" You say to yourself with a tired voice. A lump of some sort is felt on top of your chest as you wiggle your body around slightly to wake up. Opening your eyes hesitantly, a pony lies sleeping soundly on your frame. Confused and a little startled you look to the scene around you to find that tree's and grass surround you. And just like that you remember what happened last night. Trying to wake the tired mare seems futile as she lays sleeping like a rock. You slide her off your chest gently and place her head on the ground. You still aren't sure where your hotel is but you're sure you'll find it eventually.
Sitting next to the restful mare you can't help but notice just how cute she is. You think how calm she looks now as compared to the nervous wreck she was yesterday and are happy to see that prideful face once again. You still have no idea what would have provoked such a response as you've never took Trixie as the type to get emotional but it is welcomed change to see that side to her.
The mares eyes flicker wildly from the sun beating on her tired face and she sluggishly moves around to see what surrounds her.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty." You say jokingly, alerting her to your presence. "Ya know I gotta say, you really are a heavy sleeper." You continue.
Trixie looks at you with one eye slightly opened and the other almost fully awake and smiles softly.
"Yes well a mare does need her *yawn* 'beauty sleep,' especially from the the long distance it took to get to Canterlot. In any case I would've slept a lot better if it wasn't on such a rugged floor."
"Don't forget you used me as a pillow." You add.
"I uh... oh right, I did didn't I.." She responds with a hint of embarrassment lingering in her voice.
"Hey it's fine I know you needed somebody last night so I'm glad-"
"I-I know it's fine, why wouldn't I know it's fine, Trixie was just tired is all."
"That's all? The crying, uneasiness, that look you had on last night, you were just tired?"
Trixie moves her eyes in different directions as to try and find what to say. She looks back to you and clears her throat before responding.
"Look it honestly doesn't matter why I was how I was last night, it's not important to you so it's best we move on and forget about it right?" Trixie says with sureness in her voice.
"Oh no, I'm not forgetting that easily. I don't know what it is with you but you really need to stop being so closed off to me. You had me worried last night and I'm not about to forget how distraught you were." You tell her a matter-of-factly.
"And why would I make you worried?" She says questioning your answer.
You pause for a moment trying to find why you actually are worried about this mare. Ever since you first met her you've been jumping high over heels for her and for what? Out of the goodness of your heart? Maybe but that answer doesn't leave a satisfactory feeling with you.
"Honestly Trixie.... I don't know myself."
"You don't... know? How do you not know?"
"I can't explain it I just.... well ever since I met you I just...." How do you even tell her if you can't even figure it out yourself?
"You know what never mind. It was a stupid question anyway." Trixie says
"No Trixie it isn't a stupid- I just- ugh, lets just get out of this forest already. It's cold as it is and I haven't eaten anything in Celestia knows how long."
"Didn't you pick up food yesterday?" Trixie asks
"Yeah I did...."
"And? Didn't you eat already?"
"No."
"Huh?" Trixie looks at you confused.
"Well part of the reason I found you here was because I sorta kind of got my food stolen from me."
"Somepony stole your food?!"
"And it lead me here, to you." You tell her
"Oh geez Anon how could you be such a clutz?"
"It's not like I planned for someone to take my meal...."
Trixie shakes her head and sighs softly at your situation. "Well it can't be helped, come on lets go get something to eat." She tells you.
"Only problem is I don't have anymore bits, they kind of took that too." You tell her.
"Don't worry about it, come on lets go."
"Trixie I said- hey!" She pulls you along side her and just like that the two of you are off.
-------*------- "So what are you in the mood for? Pancakes? Eggs? Muffins?"
"Trixie I- ugh can you stop- pulling me along." You tell her as she runs with you in hoof faster then you thought you could go. She stops in her tracks and looks at you.
"What now Anon? I thought we were trying to get you something to eat." She says in a semi-frustrated tone.
"Trixie I told you I don't have any bits. I can't exactly get food with no money."
"And I told you not to worry about it."
"Huh? How are going to get food then?" You say to her.
"Anon tell me, how dense are you."
You look at her with confusion still not saying a word. She rolls her eyes and flips open her saddle bag with her mouth to show you something.
"See?" She says to you.
You look to see bits of the dozen sitting inside.
"Whoa Trixie how did you get that much bits?" You say awe struck at the amount she's carrying.
"You know ponies work too."
"So then what do you do?" You ask with curiosity.
"Ugh what is it with you and all these questions? What's important is that I have money, now come on lets find somewhere to eat already. All this talk is starting to make me hungry too."
You and Trixie walk along the streets of Canterlot examining places all around to eat at until you finally come to a decision.
"Ok how about there?" You ask the unicorn.
"This place, really?" She asks.
"Why is something wrong with it?"
"Anon if it's where you want to go then lets go." She tugs your arm to head through the door. Inside you're greeted to pop songs of which you've never heard in Equestria before. The whole place looks like a little girls dream as pink frilly decour liters the whole place.
"Oh no not this song." Trixie says begrudgingly.
At the counter you're greeted by a green mare wearing a strange looking outfit.
"Hello and welcome to Mindy's Mouthful Mountain!" The mare says excitedly, maybe a bit too excited.
"Is it just the two of you?" The mare asks you and Trixie both.
"Yes just us heheh." Trixie says through gritted teeth. Her smile seems pretty tacked on and noticeably her eye is twitching. You stare at her worryingly as Trixie doesn't look the least bit comfortable.
"Splendid!" The green unicorn shouts out and Trixie closes her eyes at the the shrieking of the sound.
The waitress leads you both to a booth far out to the corner of the restaurant and the two of you begin looking at each of your menus.
You look at Trixie to see her face burrowed in her menu mumbling something to herself quietly.
"Uh Trixie?"
"Huh, what, huh?! Oh it's just you Anon." She looks off her menu frantically looking around before noticing you were the one calling her name.
"Everything alright?" You ask.
"Still going on with the questions? Yes Anon I'm fine."
"From where I'm sitting, you don't look it." You tell her
"We came here for you, not me. Now then, find something you like so you can finally get some food in you and stop worrying about me." She tells you. By the tone in her voice she tries to shrug it off but you have a feeling there's more to it then that.
Not pushing it any further however, you look back at your menu to try and find something good. All the words are written in a wacky font that you can't put your finger on and the food names are just as comical as the font used itself.
You look back up from your menu undecisive on what you're going to get. "You find something yet?" You ask the blue mare.
"No not... well maybe I'm not really sure..." She says to you while studying the words on the page.
"Yeah me neither." You say admittedly
A few moments pass until the waiter comes back.
"Well, well, well, howdy!" She says with glee. "You folks ready to order?"
"Ummm..." You pause looking at the menu to finally just decide.
"I'm ready when you are Anon." Trixie says.
"Uhh I guess I'll have the Rockity Rocked Pancakes of Rockerton? What the he-"
"Splendid! And for you ma'am?"
"This." Trixie points with her hoof at the order not wanting to say it aloud.
"Oh I do just love me some Hey Hay Hayers and Hay Sticks!" The mare says excitedly.
"Uh huh." Trixie says visibly annoyed.
The waitress walks away with orders in hoof and leaves you and Trixie once again by yourselves.
"What is with this place?" You ask her.
"It's uh... certainly a place." She says to you.
"Have you been here before?" You ask
"A couple times yes." She replies.
"Is the food good?"
"It's.... passable.... not the worst thing I've ever had, not the best either. To you it might seem like the best thing since your stomach is probably craving food."
"You know Trixie I have to ask..."
"Hmmm?" She looks at you with anticipation ready to hear whatever it is you have to say.
"Why take me all the way out just to eat? I could've just stopped by my hotel to grab some bits I had laying around but you decided to take me out to eat anyways? I have to say I think you're really starting to warm up to me." You say to her playfully.
"Pssh." She chuckles nervously while waiving a hoof at you. "Nonsense Anon. I just thought that since you were hungry that I might as well go out and eat as well. Nothing weird about it.... right?" She says unsure of herself.
"I mean no there's nothing weird about it, just think it's a nice gesture is all." You say reassuring her.
You both finish up your meal and Trixie pays for both of your food. You head out the door and back to the streets of Canterlot.
"Well I hope you feel a lot better now." Trixie says to you with a small smile forming on her face. "The amazing Trixie always shows her generosity in anyway she can."
"Yeah well I do appreciate you buying me food, even if it wasn't the best thing I've ever had."
"Well I'm glad I can be of service." Trixie says bowing her head as she acts out a small performance right in front of you.
"But why were you acting so strange? It seemed like you really didn't want to be there."
"To tell you truth I can't stand that place. I went there as a little girl and had a... lets say, unpleasant experience." She says admittedly.
"What? Why didn't you say anything then? You seemed so uncomfortable the whole time. We could've just found a different place Trixie."
"Anon, I told you I was being generous, besides not everything should be about me, you've helped me with 'things' and I feel I should do the same in return."
"Aw you do care about me!" You say teasing her.
"Don't get sappy! Trixie's gratitude only goes so far you know." She says looking to the side with her eyes closed.
"Well beside that." You say trying to change the subject. "We still need to fix that problem of yours."
"Problem?"
"I told you Trixie, I'm not leaving your side until I find out what caused you to act like you did last night." You say with seriousness.
"Anon I..."
"Trixie.... come on.... whether you like it or not I'm here for you and that's not changing anytime soon."
Trixie sighs to herself and looks down to the floor before looking back up at you. "Ok Anon. If you really want to help me so much then you can."
"That means you need to be more open with me." You tell her.
"Yeah I know.... it's just a little hard for me is all."
"Well that's a first step!" You say gladly.
"What? I didn't even say anything yet."
"Actually, saying that being open is hard for you is something, even if it is a little."
"I guess so..." Trixie says.
"Well come on, let's head back to your place. I'm sure we'll be able to talk there more."
"M-My place?! Way to be forward Anon, I didn't even invite you." She says with a little snarl.
"You're stuck to me like glue!" You say.
"Fine. I guess you can come, but only because you want to see my wonderful place once again." She finishes off looking up and placing a hoof on her chest.
"She really likes to act so dramatic doesn't she?" You think to yourself
From the streets the two of you make your way to Trixie's wagon, walking hoof and foot to get there. You still need to make your way back to Ponyvile eventually but as it is right now, you don't mind trying to be of assistance to someone that seems to need your help, or at least that's what you think.
"It's just over here Anon." Trixie says to you as she leads you both down the path at which she is staying.
A sign greets your eyes and upon reading it you see it says 'mobile home parking' written a bit crudely.
"Man I knew Canterlot was a tourists dream but wow." You say as you look at the many trailer's that line the area. "Where's yours at Trixie?"
"Uh, somewhere around here." She says to you, observing all the metal homes around her whilst trying to find her own.
"Oh welcome back Trixie! I'm glad you weren't gone too awful long!"
A grey mare with fashionable attire greets Trixie with a cheery attitude.
"Yes hi, it's nice seeing you again too." Trixie says.
"And who's this? A friend? I've never seen such a creature like you before but any guest is a welcomed guest I always say!" The grey mare eyes you up and down to try and get a gist of just 'what' you are.
"Oh I'm a human." You tell her. "I'm not quite sure there's a lot like me in Equestria but I won't bite." You say to the mare and give her a playful wink.
"Yes well I'm glad I was able to see you again but we really must be going." Trixie says impatiently.
"Oh there I go again! Talking my mane off!" The grey mare giggles. "Well don't let me stop you two now ya hear?" She continues with a friendly demeanor.
She waves a hoof as you two walk off. You and Trixie walk along until you come to her wagon that is stationed far off to the side.
"What a parking place Trixie. It's quite a walk just to get here." You say.
"Do you see how crowded this place is? I had to choose somewhere that wouldn't be overwhelmed with noise. Now are you going to keep complaining or can we go inside?" She says.
"Lead the way." You reply.
Trixie closes the door behind you and sets her saddle bag down. You look around the small house to where you patched the window up for her a couple months ago and see that the wooden boards are now gone.
"Oh I see you got the window replaced, nice."
"Yes well I still can't undermine your handy work that you did, just know that Trixie doesn't let that go unappreciated." She says while cleaning up her establishment. Her house isn't very messy as far as you can see, notes here and there, but it's nice and neat beyond that.
"Hey Trixie do you need any help?" You ask.
"No it's fine. I just wasn't expecting any visitors but I should get this place cleaned up pretty quick; just a little unorganized is all." She tells you as she picks up papers from her desk.
"What's all on those papers anyhow?"
"Nothing important."
"Can I see it?"
"No Anon, I'm putting them away, I told you they aren't important."
"If they aren't important then why can't I-"
"Anon please!" She says in an agitated tone. You figure egging her on about seeing whatever is on those notes is making her upset so you don't push it.
Trixie takes a deep breath and looks at you before speaking. "I'm not mad at you Anon." She says in a mellowed out tone. "I'm just stressed out is all."
"Trixie it's fine. That's what I'm here to help you with right? Now would be a perfect time to be more open, tell me what your so stressed out with and such."
"Well...." She hesitates. "It's just coming here honestly."
"To Canterlot?" You ask.
"Yes here, to Canterlot. I haven't told you this but... well this is where I grew up and lived my life as a young filly."
"What's so wrong about that? This seems like the perfect place for you to fit in with the crowd and I'm sure you've got a ton of friends here that would just love to see you again."
Trixie looks down and shuffles a hoof on the floor, she doesn't say anything for a moment.
"Trixie? You ok?"
"-You're right Anon." She looks back up with a sudden mood whiplash. "Trixie has a bunch of friends that would love to see her. I guess that's why I'm so stressed... being popular can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when you're as talented as I am." She finishes.
"And what talent do you have exactly Trixie? You keep going on about how 'great and stuff' you are but what do you do? The whole time I've known you that's really all you've been saying."
"That's not true! Trixie has shown her generosity as well to you has she not?"
"....For buying me food?"
"And letting you into her house! Geez you say it like you aren't grateful." She says with disappointment in her voice.
"I mean I can always pay you back."
"What would be the point of treating you out then?"
"Well I'm sure you treat a lot of your friends out to food too don't you?" You ask.
"Uhmm.... well of course. Trixie is just that humble and great, she'll help anyone in need!"
"That's another thing, why do you keep talking in third person? I'm literately five feet away from you. That has to be with the job that you do right?"
"Trixie does.... I mean.... alright fine you got me. Do you really care that much what I do?"
"Of course." You tell her.
She motions you over to a stack of playing cards that are neatly tucked underneath her nightstand.
"Alright sit." She tells you.
"Where?"
"Where do you think? The bed, come on sit."
You sit on her bed slowly as the mare commands.
"Scoot." She tells you once again.
"Scoot?"
Trixie shakes her head. "Scoot over. I need to sit down too."
You slide over to the side of her bed where Trixie has enough room to lay her flank. She sits down beside you fairly closely. You smell her soft blue fur as she whiffs past you, her body almost close enough to be touching yours. You must confess you are a little nervous by being this close, though to her this is just a normality in Equestria.
"Now then." Trixie says.
Her horn lights up with a bright blue glow as a small humming noise comes from it. She levitates the cards in front of you and pulls them out one by one. She smiles to herself and closes her eyes with assurance as she does.
"Ok Anon, pick one."
You do as she says and pick a card from her magic grasp.
"Now don't tell me what you have, just keep the card to yourself."
You keep the card looking away from Trixie and take a note of what it is, a ten of diamonds.
"Ok now put the card back in the pile."
You inch your hand close to the levitating cards held up by her blue aura and put yours in where it now floats along with them. She shuffles the cards with expertise and confidence, her eyes still closed as she does this.
"Pssh show off." You think to yourself.
"Trixie I know this trick already, you aren't going to be surprise me."
"Just wait!~" She says in a sing-songy voice as she continues to shuffle the cards in the most creative ways you could think of. She slows down and her face seemingly looks like as if it's concentrating on something until she finally stops and lines the cards up just like how they were when she got them out of the pack. The cards face away from you and you can't tell which one is which.
"Now." Trixie finally opens her eyes to look at you, still smiling with that same smug smile.
"Trixie I know this I'm telling you I won't be-"
"-Is this your card?" She finishes off in a satisfied tone. All the cards have changed into the ten of diamonds and you almost can't believe your eyes.
You look at her, jaw open and eyes widened.
"Impressed? Well don't be. That's just the tip of this magical showmare's arsenal. I have lots more where that came from!" She says with giddiness in her voice.
"Wow Trixie I can't- I mean how did you-"
"A mare-gician never reveals her secrets, you know this Anon." She tells you as if for one you've ever heard the term 'mare-gician' and two as if only the most knowledgeable and secretive of ponies know this wisdom.
"So you're a performer?"
"Ah-hem, 'showmare', and a good one at that!" She gloats.
"So you host shows and everypony just gathers around to watch?" You ask.
"Precisely!" She exclaims with excitement.
"Well I'd certainly love to watch your next performance Trixie."
"Y-You would?" She asks with surprise.
"Well yeah of course. I think it'd be fun. You seem to enjoy what you do and I'd love to see the one and only 'great Trixie' in action." You say to her lightheartedly as you mimic Trixie's mannerisms.
She looks at you graciously, a huge grin forming on her face. "Why of course you would and the great Trixie would also like for you to come as well.... human!"
"Then it's settled." You say. "I think here in Canterlot would be a perfect place to perform. Seeing as there's a good crowd here I think it would be-"
"I-In Canterlot?" She says.
"Well yeah! There's tons of ponies here that would love to see you live I'm sure of it. You could invite all your friends too, I'm sure they'd love to see you perform as well." You say confidently, you think to yourself how this could be a chance to get her mind off of whatever was bothering her yesterday and hope that she'd return to that same cocky mare that you've seen today in full force.
"But... I.... N-No honestly, I don't think Canterlot is good enough for me. Why don't we try somewhere else?"
"C'mon Trixie, don't be shy on me now."
"I'm not shy Anon!"
"Then what's the harm? You do shows anywhere and everywhere right? I'm sure the ponies in Canterlot can offer up a lot of bits. Besides I think it'll be good for you."
She looks down and thinks for a moment, not saying a single word for a couple seconds.
"Mmmmk... fine." She grudgingly agrees.
"Alright!" You yell out.
"But only on one condition." She says sternly. "You help me with the preparations before-hoof and all that comes with performing a successful show; this has to be jaw dropping of course."
"Deal. But what 'preparations' are you talking about?" You ask.
Trixie gets up from her bed with elegance and puts the playing cards away neatly in her nightstand once again. She trots over to the door and looks at you.
"Come on Anon, I got something to show you."
Without another word you get up from her bed and follow her outside, she leads you into a secluded area behind her house and a tall wooden structure greets your eyes.
"Behold Trixie's very own stage!" She says overdramatically, raising her hooves in the air.
"Wow how have you been hiding this?"
"Trixie has her ways." She says smugly. "...Though it has seen better days I'll admit."
"I'll say. It looks like a mess, what happened?"
"I might have gone through some, how should I say this, unwanted territory?"
"Don't tell me it was those dogs." You say with worry.
"Oh no not them." She says assuredly.
"Then what?"
"You really want to here it?"
"Trixie I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"Very well then. Trixie will explain the whole story."
Trixie begins to tell the story in the most 'Trixie' way she could, being over-dramatic, exaggerating the action, and playing it off as just another day. Honestly you can't even tell at this point if this story was true but she definitely knew how to keep it interesting.
"-And just when I narrowed a brutal attack, Trixie used her brilliant magic to poof the ponies that wronged her away! That's the gist of it I guess." She says looking satisfied with her story telling abilities.
"That sounds pretty wild, especially with the part about the kraken." You say not believing that what she actually said was true but trying to go with it regardless.
"Oh yes the kraken was absolutely one of my favorite moments."
"So you're wanting me to clean up the stage and fix it brand new?"
"Just like you did with the broken window yes. I see potential in you Anon and Trixie knows you can do it." She says as if she chose the right person for the job.
"Well if it'll get you to perform in Canterlot then I'll do it."
"Excellent! Trixie puts her full faith into you young one!"
"You know I'm probably older then you right?" You say with annoyance.
"Not in pony years!" She says gleefully.
"How do you know humans don't age like horses?"
"Well.... I don't. But Trixie knows she's older then you."
"Uh-huh." You say rolling your eyes. "Regardless, when do you want the whole stage cleaned up by? I mean when do you think you'll be ready to perform?"
"Oh that. I'm not too sure yet. Maybe in a couple days, need to make sure I have all my acts practiced proper before I make a definite decision. But make sure not to slack off on the job." She says to you.
"Yes your royal highness." You say teasing her while bowing down, though by the look on her face she seems satisfied at your response.
"That's my Anon. Now onward, we have a lot of work to do!"
The two of you begin working on each of your parts, with her practicing all her magic tricks that she's learned in her sturdy wagon, and you making sure the dirty and partially wrecked stage is in beautiful order before the big day that you hope will make Trixie that happy mare once again.
The day feels cold as the jacket your wearing protects you from the freezing temperature. Your arms grow tired from the constant banging of the hammer being brought down on the new wood boards that you've fitted for the showmare. "Well it ain't perfect but it's getting there." You tell yourself as you take a step back to admire the hard work you've put in to make Trixie's stage one of a kind. The curtains still hang down ripped on the sides with dust and dirt attached to it's fine lining, you know this job wouldn't be easy but you still do it for her.
You take a break to rest your arms and back and head back to Trixie's wagon to see how her progress is going. From the window you see a bright blue glow as well as a poof sound coming from inside. "She must really be working hard." You think to yourself. Opening the door you see Trixie's back towards you as she lifts up flowers and makes them seemingly disappear, the sound of the poof presumably coming from her magic.
"Hey Trixie." You call out to her.
"Gah!" Trixie lets out. She gets startled and loses her concentration with the flowers poofing back into existence, falling to the floor in the process.
"Could you knock before entering?!" She says with a shaken up voice.
"My bad. Was just seeing how all you've been managing."
"Well as you can see." She starts. "Trixie has been doing quite fine, until you know, she almost had a heart attack." She says with a little snarl in her voice.
"Well that's good to hear." You say trying to change the topic into a less threating aura.
Trixie faces towards you and walks over to a chair stationed at her desk, resting her body as she does so.
"What about you?" She asks. "How's the stage been coming along? Good I hope."
"Oh just you wait!" You tell her with excitement in your voice. "You won't be disappointed."
"I know you won't disappoint Anon that's why Trixie has her full trust in you. Though not letting me see it for what, three days now, is a bit concerning." She admits.
"Don't you worry Trixie. This stage will be almost unrecognizable!" You say once again excitement gathering.
"I... take it that's a good thing.... right?" Trixie asks with caution.
"Uh yes." You say.
"Well good." The mare says. She turns away from you and opens her small fridge with her magic to levitate a bottle of water towards you.
"Well, you going to take it?" She says as the cold water floats in front of your face with her powerful aura.
"Thanks." You say. "But you sure you want me drinking your water?"
Trixie rolls her eyes. "Anon I don't want you to faint on me while you're out there, I know you forgot to bring your own today so I thought it'd only be nice. That is what the 'generous Trixie' is here for after all." She finishes with a smirk.
You take the water and begin gulping it down like you haven't drunk in weeks.
"Oh my Celestia, Anon!" Trixie raises her voice. You look back down to her direction and stop drinking the water that is already almost empty.
"What's up?" You ask.
"'What's up?'" She repeats. "You need to tell me when you're dying of dehydration!" Trixie says with alertness.
"Huh?"
"The bottle Anon, you devoured almost all of it! I don't know what mare you take me for but you need to come to me when you need something!" She tells you with seriousness, she's acting as if you're on the verge of death and are in need of constant care.
"Trixie it's fine... I was just a little thirsty is all."
"'a little?' Anon you don't need to lie around me, Trixie will do whatever she can to make sure you are in the best shape! You matter to me you know."
Your eyes widen at that last sentence as she catches you completely off guard. Her face turns from one of a nurturing mother to as red as the most reddest apple you've seen as she realizes what she just said.
"No, I mean, what I mean is...." She stumbles over her words.
"I knew it!" You say.
"K-Knew what?" She asks.
"Come on Trixie just admit it, you care about me a lot don't-cha?" You say grinning ear from ear as you delight in her change of attitude and are teasing her to full capacity.
"N-No, you didn't let me finish." She says trying to recompose herself, crossing her hooves and looking to the side from you as if she wasn't done with whatever she needed to say.
"Now then, the stage can't fix itself right? W-Well you matter to m-me because I need you to finish it. That's all!"
You keep looking at her with the same huge grin, you try your hardest not to start laughing as you see Trixie come into a more defensive stance.
"I mean it Anon! Stop giving me that look!" She says with her nose scrunched and her mouth pointed down, you really are enjoying every moment of this.
"Ok Trixie, I believe you." You say.
"Y-You do?" She says with timid-ness.
"I believe you can't be away from me for one second!"
Trixie lights up again and moans to herself, embarrassment and frustration lining her expression.
"Y-You really are hopeless Anon." She says with a scoff looking away from you still with her hooves folded.
"In any case," she says getting up from the chair. "I still have a bit of work to do if I want this show to be magnificent, which it will, but Trixie must make sure everything is even better then better."
"So what new tricks have you been working on?" You ask.
"Well as you saw I was following the best magician in all of Equestria's famous disappearing act! It's quite something, just have to figure out the remaining quirks is all."
"Best magician? Who?"
"Why of course the one and only Hoofdini!" She asserts. "Who else?"
"Uhhh... right... who?" You say, you have no idea who she's talking about.
Trixie's jaw drops to the floor and she gasps in horror at your words, she looks offended.
"Anon, tell me it isn't so! You don't know who the one, the only, Hoofdini is?!"
"Uhhhh....-"
"You really are so hopeless." She says with disappointment, shaking her head side to side slowly.
"A lesson is in order! Sit Anon, Trixie is about to tell you about somepony who I myself can not even match. A pony even more 'Great and Powerful' then 'The Great and Powerful Trixie.'"
"Wow this guy must be really amazing then, you never think so highly of anyone." You inquire, surprised that Trixie could be so infatuated with anyone more then herself.
"I wouldn't go that far. There are some creatures that Trixie thinks even more highly of then you'd be lead on to believe." She says to you, giving you a smug smile and a playful wink.
"Even more creatures?" You wonder. "Now that's something."
Trixie begins her tale of 'The Great Hoofdini', telling some of her favorite tricks from him, his best performances, and his early life. She really knows a lot about him.
"Wow Trixie, if I didn't know any better I'd say your his biggest fan."
"Oh please." She says nonchalantly, waiving a hoof at you.
"Is he the reason you decided to get into the show buiss'?"
"A part of it yes. I really always wanted to become as good a pony as he was. You could say it was something of an obsession of mine... kind of embarrassing huh?" She elaborates, another blush forming on her face.
"I don't think so at all." You argue. "Being a 'mare-gician' suits you very well Trixie, you are a wonderful entertainer and have shown me tricks over the past couple days that would 'wow' even the most knowledgeable of ponies. You're great the way you are."
Trixie smiles at your comforting words and looks you softly in the eye, her demeanor becoming more calm.
"Thanks Anon. I really appreciate it. No pony- or creature has ever said anything like that to me. I think it's sweet." She finishes with a fixated look, her eyes matching yours as you both sit closely together on her bed.
"You ok Trixie?" You ask.
"Why do you ask?"
"You just said that what I said was 'sweet'?"
She changes face quickly and reverts back to her old-self.
"You think I meant it? C-Come on now Anon, you know me better then that!" She states.
"Yeah I do, which is why it's weird you called me 'sweet'."
"I didn't call you sweet! I was saying what you said was sweet! A-And by the look on your face, I totally got you. Trixie would never say such things on a serious level."
"If you say so." You add. "But hey I'm not complaining."
The two of you finish up talking and you tell her you'll be heading out soon to work more on the stage, it's not going to get done itself so you figure that spending more time adding details, fixing materials, and just making it look presentable are in top priority for her show to be great.
-------*------- Trixie changes her mood quickly as to try and damage control the situation.
"I didn't call you sweet! I was saying what you said was sweet! A-And by the look on your face, I totally got you. Trixie would never say such things on a serious level."
She looks at Anon, hopefully he'll believe her as she spews out whatever just comes to her mind. She appreciates Anon's compliments and gets giddy with every one she hears. She meant it when she called him sweet and loved hearing those words from him but she made the mistake of making it too obvious as she never gives anyone compliments.
The past couple of days has been stressful for her and she's taken a big order by agreeing to perform in Canterlot but the stress has been somewhat taken away by the sight and time spent with her one and only support. She just hopes she'll be ready when the time comes.
"If you say so." Anon says shrugging to himself.
"Yes!" Trixie's mind shouts with excitement. "I think it worked, Anon is so easily fooled." She thinks.
"Anyway Trixie I'm glad that you shared the story of Hoofdini and whatnot but I think I'm gonna get back to workin'. The stage isn't going to fix itself right?" Anon teasingly says as he quotes Trixie from earlier.
"Ha ha very funny Anon. Well you go ahead and keep working on it, Trixie still has tricks to be practiced and magic to be perfected! And she will perfect them." She states as she strikes a pose with flair.
She waves a hoof goodbye and see's Anon walk out the door. She wants nothing more but to spend more time with him but is at a loss on what things they could possibly do. Honestly, just staying by Trixie's side is enough for her but she's starting to feel things she's never felt before. But what? Does she even know? No, she doesn't and that's what scares her. Her philosophy for people was to always not hold them close but she's failed this time; mainly because he's been the first thing in her life to want to see her succeed, and she loves every second of it.
Night comes as Trixie finishes up for the night, putting all her tools and objects away for the next day to come. "Where is Anon?" She wonders as he's been normally coming by to say "goodnight" every night. She looks out her window but see's no sign of her human. Nervous and slightly worried, she heads out the door to look for him.
Trixie makes her way to the stage but can't see anything in the dark. "Anon?! You there?!" She yells. An echo of a "yeah" comes back towards her direction and she hears footsteps. Coming towards her, Anon appears in the shadows.
"What's going on Trixie? You need something?" He asks, taking deep breaths in between.
"Anon why are you breathing so heavy?" She asks, concern in her voice.
"Well I've been working on the stage of course. You said this needs to be perfect so I'm putting my all in."
"Anon." Trixie says with a mellow voice, she does want this to be a spectacular performance but not at the expense of her friend.
"You don't need to push yourself. It's ok for the night you can go home."
"No way! There's still some work to be done and your show is tomorrow, everything has to be pristine." Anon states confidently, he really cares a lot about this, maybe more then Trixie anticipated.
"If you really care that much....."
"You bet I do."
"Ok fine. I'm pretty tired though so I'm going to head off to bed for the night."
"Oh alright, well goodnight Trixie."
And just like that her heart skips a beat, she loves hearing those words as if a comforting entity is protecting her every time they're muttered. Her night isn't complete without Anon saying that, as weird as it may be to even her.
Anon begins to walk back to whence he came.
"Anon, wait."
He turns around, waiting for whatever his unicorn friend has to say.
"Just.... be careful... for me.... I mean..... just be safe ok?"
Anon smiles and gives a thumbs up. "For you."
Trixie gives a soft smile back as she see's her friend walk away slowly into the night. She goes back to her wagon and lays down in her bed, thinking about the best ways she can impress Anon tomorrow at her performance, she hasn't felt this intense of emotions since.... well since she first started all the way back when she was a little filly. She's more scared then anything; the thought of performing here after all that happened still haunts her to this day, she knows one way or another that she'll do it. She has to, for him.
The time has come. Everypony is gathered around the stage to see her perform. The sight of her makes the crowd cheer with anticipation. Friends of the talented showmare have come to watch her as well, as if there was ever any doubt. The blue unicorn lights up the stage with her magnificence as her customary first act of lighting fireworks in the sky is done in full force. She knows she's wanted by thousands and will give them a show they'll never forget.
Behind her however, a fire breaks out and her stage is engulfed in flames, presumably from the sparks that emanated from her first trick. The ponies in the viewing area scream in horror as the whole building lights up with terrifying orange brilliance. They try for an exit but debris has overtaken any outing they could've possibly had. The showmare is left panicking in fear for her and everyone else's safety as she tries desperately to blow out the harsh fire, to no avail.
Moments pass and ponies everywhere as far as she can see, are now enveloped by the cruel flames as she hears a mixture of fear and pain from all the little fillies, foals, stallions, and mares. How could she of messed up this bad? Why does it always have to end in disaster? A crack is heard from on top of the roofing and more and more debris fall down one by one. There isn't much time left and Trixie knows this but what can she do? It's already too late. She looks behind her to see someone calling her name.
"Trixie, Trixie!" The voice screams.
"Anon! Oh Celestia, Anon!"
She tries to make her way over to him but he to is soon covered by the unescapable devilish light.
"Anon no!" She screams out, it's the only thing she can do now. Tears run down her face and she falls down as the joke of a performer tries to breath in between the smoke covered breaths that now fill the entire building. Her coat is caught by the fire and soon her whole body. She tries desperately to scream but the smoke is now too heavy that any pleas of help go heard on deaf ears.
"Trixie, Trixie!" Anon still says.
"Trixie, please!"
She tries to speak but can't. She's stuck in a hellish nightmare as her whole body melts away right before her eyes.
"Trixie!"
She jolts up as the human beside her bed wakes the blue mare from her sleep.
"Woah hey, didn't mean to scare you." The voice says.
"A-Anon? What are you doing here?" Trixie says in a confused and semi-scared tone. "I thought you would've left when you finished up last night?"
"What do you mean? The show's today don't you remember?"
How could she forget? The whole week has been nothing but an anxiety driven slog for her. She's practiced to her heart's content and has done everything according to que but she's still scared. Never has she ever dreamed about performing in Canterlot again. But still she doesn't say a word, her pride overruns her after all.
Trixie has been opening up a lot more then she ever had been to Anon and she feels better for it. Though some things are still left locked away deep in her conscious, things she doesn't think she'd ever be able to say aloud. So why doesn't she just tell Anon she has no friends? Why doesn't she admit to him, her one and only friend, that she's petrified to ever perform here again?
She can't. Trixie isn't a coward, at least not on the surface, so she can't. She's built up a wall all her life, she can't afford to strip it all down now, she can never show Anon who she really is because she knows deep down he'd never accept her. She needs Anon, more then he knows it.
Trixie looks at her clock stationed at the side of her bed to check the time.
"Anon it's only eight in the morning, can't you wake me up later?" The tired pony asks.
"But I've been working all night! I really wanted everything to be perfect for your show." Anon says, happiness smeared all across his expression.
"You want me to see it now? You didn't let me see it this whole week." Trixie says.
"And I told you why. Like you said, everything has to be incredible for your performance and I sure as heck intend for it to be."
Trixie feels very grateful for all the support Anon had been giving her, this whole week has really reflected on how much empathy she has towards other living things, Anon being no exception. She wants to impress him more then anypony else at her performance tonight and hopes she'll be able to accomplish her task. Though the gnawing sensation in her stomach and her head has felt like torture with every passing moment that inches closer to her performance, all she wants is to get it over with.
The tired mare looks around her bedroom with droopy eyes and finally sees that face she'd become so familiar with by now. She smiles to herself, though Anon can't see it through the veil of darkness that's in her direction but that's alright; to her all she cares about is waking up to see that caring human living lively once again.
"Alright fine. Just give a few Anon, I need to get fixed up."
"Will do." Anon says.
He heads out the door and waits for his magician pony friend.
Trixie yawns and stretches before slowly getting out of her soft, warm bed. She looks out the window to the sun moving oh so slightly upward with every second that passes and snow liters the ground with it's beautiful white presence. Anon is seen leaning on her wagon looking ahead to also see the glorious bright star on the horizon, wearing a heavy jacket as to withstand the cold. Trixie smiles to herself once again as she see's Anon's content and solitude presence.
Moving from her bedroom window she proceeds into a small bathroom that's dressed neatly in white tiles. A mirror stands before her and the mare reflecting within it.
"Oh Trixie you are a mess." She says to her reflection as she see's her mane frizzled and strings of little hair out of place all over.
She looks at herself deeply in the mirror with sadness, and a bit of disgust as she see's that blue mare that could've been something of a greater talent, now only resorted to a fake personality to hide the bruises that'd been formed in her mind.
She doesn't linger on those thoughts for too long however as she pulls out a brush and delicately straightens her mane to a more approachable manner. Making sure to look her absolute best for the day in front of her.
Stepping outside she still see's that tall figure waiting for her yonder.
"Oh great you're ready. You know, you mare's take quite a long time in the bathroom." Anon says teasingly, knowing that'd get to her.
"Well I'm sorry to keep you waiting Anon. Trixie knows how demanded she is and will try to make her presence a bit more faster for you next time." Trixie says, teasing back as she's caught on to Anon's playful antics by now and knows how to turn it around.
Anon chuckles to himself before speaking. "Alright, alright, well besides that come on, I've really been waiting to show you this."
Anon grabs Trixie by her front hoof and she runs along with him. Stopping behind her wagon once again and seeing the stage that was once a sight for sore eyes, is now a beautifully crafted redesign of the old familiar.
Anon looks back at Trixie to gauge a reaction.
"So?" He says. "What do you think? Now be honest, I've not known you to ever tell a lie but really let me know what you think."
She looks upon the stage with a wonderstruck feeling; walking up the slightly snowed covered steps, the floor boards creek no more and the paint feels smooth beneath her hooves. The old dusted curtains are now replaced with silky looking fabric sown magnificently together with each peace complimenting the whole design that Anon had done.
She stands front and center where she usually would with her performances, just to get a grasp of what it'd feel like to act out live on this new stage. He did this for her. Her special little human did this for her, and she couldn't be more happy.
"So?" Anon says again, looking at Trixie walk around and admiring the craftsmanship he put into it.
"It's wonderful Anon!" She says with excitement as she looks back at him with a childish smile, not leaving her cheeks for even a moment.
"See? Trixie put her underlying trust in you and it all turned out wonderfully. Like I ever had any doubt." She says assuredly.
Anon is happy that all of his work payed off in one way or another and is glad to see the mare he's come to care about so much is happy as well. He just knows that nothing can ruin this day for him and her both, finally Trixie can be reunited with her old friends and colleagues alike as tonight will be a night like no other.
Time rolls around as the snow on the ground get's heavier with every drop. Trixie trots along the streets of Canterlot to a very familiar destination; knowing that tonight will be one that she will do everything she can to overcome. She thinks about the tragic accident that occurred here so many years ago on her first performance and can't let it go. The guilt and pain of every mishap she's ever had comes full circle tonight as she tries to prove herself once and for all that she is a great showmare.
Thoughts of all kinds pry there way into Trixie's head as she tries to stay focused and relaxed on what's to come. Ponies from all over will be watching her with skeptical eyes and so will her one and only friend. Anon thinks a lot more highly of Trixie then she herself does and she knows it as well. Lies that she's spewed off to everyone for years and years will only find a way to bite her in the end, this fake persona she puts on can only last so long.
Trotting along she finally see's it, the stage that will determine everything tonight. Can she face all the shame and embarrassment that started right here? Flashbacks of her parents and bullies creep into her head unwelcomed and certainly not forgotten. These are the emotions she suppresses and has been for years.
Voices are heard from all over as Trixie makes her way up to the mobile stage, though they're drowned out by the overwhelming thoughts scrambling in her brain. She hasn't felt this way since she first started out and it honestly feels fitting if not bittersweet considering the situation she's in.
The fear and anxiety build up so rapidly and she honestly doesn't know if she can take it. All she practiced to make this show worthwhile was for him. It's all for him, that's right, every moment she's spent with her companion has felt nothing more then exhilarating and she hopes to show him just who she is. A mask can only stay on for so long but she can't afford to show the cracks peaking through hers. She is 'The Great and Powerful' after all.
The noise comes to a silence as Trixie shows herself to the world once again. Standing on stage, she sees faces of all kinds looking in her direction, as if they can see right through her veil of mediocrity and pathetic-ness. She stands facing these ponies all with lives of their own. Jobs, friends, lovers, they're all waiting for this nobody to show them something wonderful, maybe to brighten up a long and stressful day, no not her, she can't make anyone happy, has she ever?
Why bother continuing? Why have any reason to go on? Her 'passion' is nothing more then a fantasy conjured up in a mind that wanted nothing but to share the childish wonder she once had. A foolish idea brought down again and again by classmates, teachers, and of course, her parents.
Trixie still stands looking upon all these ponies without a word to be said. She just... stands there, thinking. What would it have been like to have a family that loved her? What about people in general? Is she just destined to live a life full of unfulfillment and solitude? How can she act so happy and carefree as the black void sits behind constantly reminding her that she's no good. How out of everyone he was seemingly the happiness that peered through? And she still hasn't the gull to tell him what caused all this pain in the first place. The aches that have pierced her heart for years. To finally have someone willing to be by her side and she still can't say a word? How cowardly can she be.
-------*------- You sit afar waiting for Trixie to begin her show, the crowd talks amongst themselves as you look side to side to find the pony that will soon be on her own stage. Happiness filled adrenaline run through as you know this will be the something to get Trixie back in order. She never told you why she was the way she was the night you found her, the night you decided Applejack could wait a little while longer as you tend to the sad mare. Regardless of how she felt though, you have no doubt in your mind that this will make her forget about all the awful things that she was facing. "Which one's are her friends?" You think as you look all around the stage to maybe spot them.
The thoughts quickly subside however as you finally see her, the mare that's brimming with confidence and ego. You see her trot along slowly, head facing forward and body moving as elegantly and as straight as you'd imagine from Trixie. The crowd grows increasingly silent as they take note of the showmare's presence trotting along to show them just what all she's got.
You see Trixie stand center of the stage looking at everyone in the audience. "I wonder if she see's me?" You think as she studies the mare's and stallion's faces. A spotlight is shined right on her as she stands there, not saying anything. She's still looking at everybody but you notice something off, her hooves start to shake and her body is tense and seemingly frozen. "Is this part of the act?" You think as she appears motionless in front of everyone.
The mare's eye's close and as if it happened all in slow motion you see the horrible sight. Her hooves give out underneath her and she slumps to the ground with a thud. No one is speaking and no one is moving. In an instant she collapses. Your mind draws a blank as you come to comprehend the tragedy that you've just witnessed. A night that she would remember forever is now one of misery and confusion. The mare you've spent a whole week with talking, eating, supporting, is now an unmoving body seen right before you.
-------*------- You walk back with Trixie once again cradled in your arms. Her soft fur touching your skin as she stays silent within them. It seems like a very familiar situation as you remember when you treated her from her long fall down from a tree; though that was due to her stubborn nature of not wanting help and just getting herself hurt. "Her wagon can't be too far." You think as you make your way to where her stationed house lie. You can't shake the thoughts of all that happened back there and it leaves an unsatisfactory feeling in you. "She should have done great, then why?"
Walking across all the RV's and trailer's that litter the area, her home comes in view. Opening the door with one hand whilst caring a living being with another is no easy task but somehow you manage. You flip the lights on and make your way over to her small little bed. Making sure to be careful, you set her frame down slowly and look for any blanket that could lay on top of her.
You walk to her closet that's just beside her desk to look for any coverings for the blue mare. The closet reveals several sheets, pillow cases, and blankets for her bed but you also see something beyond that laying in a pile in the corner that seems forgotten. With further inspection it appears to be a wizard hat of some sort along with a coat with a soft fabric lining on the cloth. It's torn and seemingly beat up as far as you can see and holes are punctured all around. Inside the hat it reads 'Trixie's best friend' written with permanent ink. Inside the coat however, a pocket with a crude drawing of a little pony along side two older ponies sit there. On top of the drawing it reads 'my family' also written very crudely. You set them aside for now and tend to Trixie.
You've stayed up all night and haven't left her side for a second. The medical personal declared that she only fainted but it didn't alleviate any of your stress. You look behind you from the chair you're sitting in to see the sun reaching up little by little. Trixie's face lay visible and what a face it is. Her snout is scrunched up and she keeps talking to herself in her sleep. She really is cute underneath all that sass.
"Anon. Anon wake up."
A voice calls out to you. You see Trixie looking right into your eyes, she doesn't look all too thrilled by the look on her face.
"Oh great, you're awake." She says, her voice soundly soft and mellow.
"I should be saying that to you." You tell her with a worrisome tone.
Trixie stares at you and then looks away to the floor in sadness, expressions still showing that same frown.
"What happened Trixie? I thought everything was fine. I mean you passed out on the stage floor and had everyone worried."
She still looks to the floor, sun shining on her face.
"Not to mention all your friends that were also probably really looking forward to your performance." You see your words aren't seeming to make her feel any better as she still looks down, away from you.
"....It's fine though. We can just schedule it again for next week. I'm sure if we tell them it just wasn't a good day they'll-"
"No Anon." Trixie says to you, face still eyeing the ground with the same static expression. By the tone in her voice she doesn't seem to be acting like herself at all.
"I can't. I've never been able to do anything right, I wouldn't be able to start now."
"Trixie, what do you mean?"
The room stays silent as you look at your unicorn friend with anticipation, waiting to hear what she has to say. She sees you aren't letting up and decides to continue.
"I can't... tell you. I can't tell you because I don't...." She stops for a moment, head hunched a couple more inches down to her wooded floor.
"Trixie, come on. You can tell me anything, I'm your friend, remember?" You say to her with assurance; a small crack in your voice is heard from the last word that leaves your lips.
You both remain silent without a word to be said. You wonder what Trixie has to be thinking right now as she seems so sad. You really didn't want her to remain this way, but you start to feel like putting this whole show on was just adding fuel to her still mysterious fire that seems to bother her.
You sit there waiting as the minutes pass by, staring at the face that you've come to know as confident; now looking only a shadow of her former self. Her expression remain stagnant, her body slouched.
"I need to be alone." She finally says.
"But Trixie-"
"Please Anon." Her eyes can't muster to look up at you as she speaks to the ground.
You hesitate before getting up. You see the mare that you've come to know as this cocky, prideful pony, now diminished into a sad, depressive soul. A part of you doesn't want to leave her here but you feel like you've already done enough. You walk to the door slowly and close the wall between you and your blue friend.
Alone in a room, a filly sits in silence. No view to the outside to be seen as the blinds cover the windows. Posters of famous and brilliant magicians hang all around the wall as a constant reminder of the success that hard work and passion goes into. "That will be me one day, I'm sure of it." The filly asserts as she smiles with pride of all the ponies she looks up to.
A blue glow emanates the room around the filly as come a custom to the household she lives in; hour by hour, week by week, books of titles that read 'Famous Tricks From All Around Equestria Vol. 1' to 'A Luxurious Guide To The Life Of A Magician' are devoured and studied hard by the blue pony's eyes. She doesn't quite understand a lot of how tricks that are performed actually work, but she'll never stop practicing until her hearts content.
"Almost... got it..." The filly mutters. Deep in concentration, she's learning slow but surely a new trick that will add on to her already sized arsenal. "Come on, come on.... dang it!" She lets out. Her magic fails her once again as the unsuccessful spark coming from her horn short circuits. She practices to the best of her abilities but still can not manage to perfect every puzzle piece that is thrown at her by the magicians she admires the most.
"Trixie? What are you doing?" A voice sounds from behind her dark room. "You know you have school today so why are you still playing magician?"
"Dad I'm not 'playing magician'." She retorts. "I'm trying to learn a new trick from this book I picked up a couple days ago, see?" Trixie hovers a book in front of her dad. '100 Tricks To Blow Your Mane Off' it reads.
Trixie's dad shakes his head and sighs softly. "Trixie where do you keep getting these? You have a full bookshelf worth at least of books just like this."
"But this is different dad!" She exclaims. "I have to keep learning to improve my performance! If I keep learning I just know I'll be a good showmare!"
"We don't have time for this Trixie. Just get ready for school, your classes start soon; you can play with your toys when you get back." Her dad says in an annoyed tone.
Trixie rolls her eyes as she begrudgingly slips her book back under her bed. "No one understands me." She mutters under her breath.
Trixie makes her way to the front of the school with minutes to spare. "Phew made it." She exhales, relived that she's not late. If it was up to her she'd be done with school and just focus on the career that matters the most to her, seems like that will have to wait though.
"I'm here!" Trixie slips her way in to the classroom seeing all her classmates looking at her but none happy to see her.
"And with only a minute left." The teacher says frustrated that Trixie is once again not only the last to show up but is also so close to being tardy.
"Sorry Ms. Opal, I was practicing this really cool trick and-"
"Trixie just sit." She says not caring for an explanation.
Ponies behind her snicker to each other as Trixie bends her head down in embarrassment. The lesson goes on as Trixie tries her hardest not to fall asleep, she day dreams about being on stage with thousands of eager fans waiting for her next performance with anticipation. "Oh what a day that will be." She thinks.
The bell rings and every pony gets out of their chairs with excitement as they get ready for recess. They all talk to each other like good friends. Having chemistry between every single one. Trixie however, has none, she gets up in silence and walks to the door with no pony to call her friend, "that's ok." She thinks. "One day every pony will want to be my friend, when they see my magic they'll all-"
"Hey guys look who it is! Trixie Latemoon!" A voice of a foal says. "Haha yeah how's it going big time 'magician'." Another pony mocks.
"What's it to you?" Trixie fights back. "I'm sure I'm better at magic then all of you combined! In fact, I'm even performing soon right here in Canterlot." She lies.
"Yeah right." The foal says.
"It's true!" Trixie says back.
"Sure it is Latemoon. Just make sure to get past the first trick this time." The foals laugh to each other as they remember Trixie's embarrassing attempt at the talent show.
"Oh y-yeah?! Well I'll show you! I'll show all of you! 'The Great Trixie' will make you wish you were sorry!" She scolds them with an angry face.
"Uh oh guys, guess we better go before 'The Failed Trixie' uses her fake magic on us!" They laugh harder as they see Trixie's face turn bright red. She storms pass them and out to the doors to the playground.
All the ponies are seen playing around with each other. Doing fun activities like tag, hide and seek, and hoof-ball. Trixie watches all of this from afar as she sits on an old crooked bench that seemingly hasn't been touched in quite some time. She looks to all of the ponies with envy as she wants that to be her, though try as she might, the ponies here want nothing to do with her.
"One day they'll accept me." She thinks. Again she daydreams of the future that will be set out for her soon. Ponies cheering her name with the sheer sight of her, it fills her with warmth knowing that one day she'll be a magician that everypony will know; a daughter her mom and dad will be proud of, not some pony that sits behind a desk waiting for customers to show at some boring job, no, a famous pony that will finally be respected.
Lunch comes shortly after and Trixie, like always, is the last to show up. "Your account says zero bits." The lunch mare says. "We go over this everyday Lulamoon, no bits, no food."
"But I'm really hungry." The blue mare says.
"And I said, no bits, no grub. Get a move on."
Trixie sighs and walks slowly to a table that no pony has yet occupied. Sitting alone with no food and a hungry stomach, she watches the time tick by for the next half of class to start.
"No food Latemoon?"
"Go away." Trixie says in exhaustion.
"What's the matter Latemoon? Daddy not giving you any money to his failed magician daughter?"
"I said go away." Trixie says again, this time sounding more threatening.
"Oooo so scary! What're you gonna do? Use your baby magic on me? Oh wait, you don't know how to use magic because you're a failure at being a unicorn too!"
"I said go away!" Trixie shouts as she uses her magic to slam the foal to the ground. The whole cafeteria draws their attention to Trixie and the pony that is now down on the floor. The foal starts crying bloody murder as he sits their. "O-Oops." Trixie mutters.
"Now explain to me why you decided to hurt another pony in our school?"
"H-He started it!" Trixie defends herself. "He's been calling me all sorts of names and.. and...-"
"She's a bully!" The foal exclaims, sitting next to Trixie. "I've *sniff* tried nothing but to be nice to her but *sniff* she doesn't want to be my friend. I even told her that her magic was cool."
"What?!" Trixie says in disbelief.
"Then I think I've heard enough." The principal states.
"N-No Mrs. Horseshire you have to listen, he-"
"No more out of you young ma'am. Bullies are not tolerated here, especially to a straight A foal like him."
"But... But....-"
"I don't want to hear it!" The principal slams her hooves down on the desk in frustration.
"I think a strict punishment is in order, three weeks detention for you Ms. Lulamoon."
"W-What?! But I- He-"
"And for you." The principal eyes the foal with leniency. "You are to have no contact with Trixie for a month."
"Oh ok.... I-I guess I can *sniff* manage."
Trixie looks right through him like glass, she knows he's full of it.
The walk home was much later then Trixie would have wanted; an extra two hours in a classroom is definitely not her ideal way of having a good time, especially when she's surrounded by even more bullies who despise her. "What a joke." She mutters as she thinks of the punishment her and her bully got. "Canterlot definitely favors the rich."
With night coming fast and no light in sight, Trixie has no choice but to illuminate the path in front of her. "Ugh, it's so hard to see anything." Her eyes try and focus on the path ahead but all she can make out are shadows peering through. "Wait shadows?"
Hooves come from behind as they grab her front hooves with force.
"H-Hey what the?" Trixie lets out, struggling to break free.
"You didn't think I'd let you get away that easy did ya?" A familiar voice rings out.
"What do you want? The principal said no contact so get away from me!" Trixie yells out in anger and fear.
"No I think we've got other plans for you Latemoon. Hold her still fellas, we need to teach 'The Great Trixie' what it means when you mess with us."
Trixie's hooves trot along slowly in the darkness, her sides hurt and bruised, her face swollen. She just wishes for the night to be over. Trotting in the front door, she makes her way past the kitchen to see empty bottles of alcohol littered all across. Glass is heard being thrown in the living room along with angry shouting coming from her parents. She has to ignore them for tonight, she can't let anyone see her like this; hell they probably don't even care why she was out so late, or they could've forgotten about her altogether.
She closes the door softly and Trixie's room reveals itself to her once again. Her mind is filled with such distain and despair, body aching and on the verge of collapse. But one thing still fills her little heart with the same hopefulness that she has been carrying with stride for all her life; she looks across to a clothes rack to see a special hat along with a wonderful coat staring back at her.
As bitter as the situation might be, with alcoholic abusive parents or a school full of ponies that want nothing but to make her the butt of every joke; she still falls back on to the one thing she loves most, the one thing that keeps this little filly's heart beating a-hundred miles a minute. A passion so close to her that it'd sound so silly to anyone who'd be willing to hear about it. Trixie will always keep doing her best at the thing she cares for the most, because deep down being a magician is what keeps her going.
The warmth of a bed is felt on Trixie's body as the covers wrap around nicely. Her long nightmare of being a filly comes to an end as she wakes up from her slumber. Birds are heard chirping outside as the morning sun moves in onto the horizon. Her eyes twitch with exhaustion as she motions herself to wake up.
"Ugh what happened?" She groans. Her head is killing her and her face feels like a fifteen pound weight is dragging her down. Trixie moves her head to the side to see that unmistakable silhouette sitting across from her. His face is hunched down and his breathing is soft. "At least he's ok." She thinks to herself.
She wants him to forget about what happened, but knows all to well that Anon won't let something like this go. He put all this work into her stage for nothing. Just for Trixie to still somehow mess up a simple performance. It's not like she hasn't done hundreds already, but this is the one she has to mess up? The thought of another embarrassment claws in Trixie's mind as another failure to add to her already miserable line up of memories.
Trixie lightly touches her human. "Anon." She says with a melancholy voice. She shakes him a little again. "Anon. Anon wake up."
His head moves slightly and his eyes flutter at the sound of her voice. Anon looks up dazed at his blue pony friend with a tired expression.
"Oh great, you're awake." Trixie says to him with relief and happiness to see her special human looking at her once again.
"I should be saying that to you." Anon replies.
His words feel like a reminder of what Trixie couldn't do. The mask that she's tried so hard to keep on has seemingly lost it's edges that made it whole. She's afraid for the mask to fall off; for him to see that she isn't that 'Great and Powerful' pony she portrays herself as. The fear of being that lonely, pathetic mare that hides away deep within her mind is something no one should have to see.
Trixie looks to the floor at Anon's words, guilt setting in as her pride is diminished into a vulnerable, sad unicorn that can't bare to look him in the eye.
"What happened Trixie? I thought everything was fine. I mean you passed out on the stage floor and had everyone worried."
She remains at a still; not wanting to think or even form a sentence to Anon. What would she say? That she's too much of a coward to do anything right? That whatever challenges life throws at her, she'll always find a way to mess them up? It's a side she never wanted Anon to see. She wants him to think of her as a brave mare who isn't scared of anything, not some disheveled waste with bruises and scars left inside.
He continues. "Not to mention all your friends that were also probably really looking forward to your performance."
Another needle felt it's way poking at Trixie's heart with those words. Friends are what she's always wanted to have, some comfort to help guide her through treacherous times, or to maybe share a joke with. The reality of it all is she'd been the only support she'd ever have, it's how it's always been, it's what she's come used to. No friends to cherish or have fun parties with, no one to ever lead her to the right direction, her mind had formed this loneliness that was eating away at her to a bond that she'd only share with herself.
"....It's fine though. We can just schedule it again for next week. I'm sure if we tell them it just wasn't a good day they'll-"
"No Anon." Trixie cuts him off with a low voice that has finally shown itself with sincerity and sadness. Her usual act of pretending like everything is fine has no effect here, her mind is too heavy to think properly and her brain is all mush of the devilish thoughts that always find its way to torture her. All she thinks is why. Why couldn't she just do the one thing she's built a life upon, to act like everything was fine and give Anon, her best and only friend, a performance like no other; only to collapse like dominoes at the overwhelming appearance of being on stage where her first show turned to a flop.
"I can't. I've never been able to do anything right, I wouldn't be able to start now." Trixie states, her mask slipping off further and further with every sentence she musters.
"Trixie, what do you mean?" Anon questions, confusion and worry traveling with his voice.
"just stop prying." Her mind wants to tell him. "Stop caring about me. There's nothing to me Anon. I'm a pathetic excuse for a magician, let alone a unicorn. So please." Of course, none of this escapes her lips because her pride, no, the fear of vulnerability, is just to much for her.
She notices that Anon won't take silence as an answer as he sits there worryingly, just waiting for her to say the response that is trapped inside her throat. But Trixie has to say something, anything, for Anon to not worry about her; but at this point, what lies can she still come up with.
"I can't... tell you. I can't tell you because I don't...." She's halted in her words as they struggle to find a baring to leave her mouth. She knows what she wants to say, but no way of how to say it. In her mind she thinks. "I can't tell you because I don't want to lose you." There it is, the sentence that carries so much weight to her. She cares so much about Anon and she never wanted to. The pain and agony that comes with losing someone you care about is something Trixie never wanted to face, yet alas she's staring that someone that she only dreamt would be by her side right in the eyes. The feelings she has toward him are nothing short of confusing yet wonderful.
He bandaged her scraps, he stayed by her when she fell and collapsed with the diamond dog chasing them, even if it put his life at risk, he cared about her. Bringing her back to her wagon, fixing up the window, showing empathy and care at her breaking point. He was always there no matter what. A disgustingly beautiful knot ties in her stomach every time he just so as looks in her direction. She cares about him more then anything in the world, and he doesn't even know it.
"Trixie, come on. You can tell me anything, I'm your friend, remember?" A slight crack is heard in his last word as if she'd forgotten. Oh poor, naive Anon, if only you knew the lengths Trixie would go just to be able to breathe the same air as you for a second longer.
Seconds turn into minutes as Trixie wishes for everything to just return to how it was before. If she'd just perform like she was supposed to, this agonizing moment would cease to exist, but reality is something Trixie has been hit with time and time again.
"I need to be alone." Finally something comes out of her mouth as she still looks to the floor, ashamed of the personality she actually has.
"But Trixie-"
"Please Anon." As on que, she knew he would try to say anything to challenge her words. The robotic nature at which she speaks, is brief and to the point, she doesn't want anyone to see her, if ever again.
Anon slightly opens his mouth but clamps it shut as if he thinks anything he says would just make the situation worse. He gets up slowly and starts for the door, she doesn't want him to leave her again but she's too afraid to speak anything. His footsteps are heard through Trixie's ears as she stares blankly at the floor.
The closing of the door hurts Trixie's heart. "I'm hurting so bad Anon, please don't leave me. You mean the world to me, you're so special to me, I haven't the right words to say what my feelings are. Anon, I think I-"
Her thoughts cut her off as she switches moods. A cold, dead-like feeling shoves it's way into Trixie's soul as she's reminded once again that nobody has ever been there for her. Nobody, except him.
How dumb could she be? Letting someone get that close to her, to open up to something not even from the same species as her. She let someone in and the consequences are set in full force, the overwhelming sadness to lose something like that...
That's why she has to go, run away from it all. Go far away from her past mistakes and start anew, how could she though? Her whole passion was to make creatures smile and see things they'd never even dream of seeing, so how could she change course so dramatically?
If she never followed this silly childish fantasy of hers, then her parents would actually love her, she'd have plenty of ponies that'd respect her. If she only followed the path in front of her and not what was in her heart, then everything would have worked out differently. Maybe she would actually find some pony to love?
Her wagon stays as silent as it ever has and her mind stays as broken as it ever was. Trixie knows what she has to do, but doesn't know if she has the will to do it. She packs up her things and heads to greener pastures. If she can't do anything right, then what's stopping her from what's left.
You look to the side of your hotel room to see a box you've wrapped with gift paper sitting on the floor. You felt so bad for making Trixie hurt yesterday and are trying everything you can to make her feel better. You pick up your present and head for the door.
"Well welcome back mister human!" A voice calls out to you from ahead.
You turn your head to see that cheery grey mare looking happy to see you.
"What brings you back here?" She asks.
"Oh, I'm here to see Trixie again, she wasn't feeling the best yesterday so I thought I'd be able to cheer her up."
The mare looks at you with a worried look. "What's gotten into her?" You think.
"I thought she would've told you." The mare states.
"Tell me what?" You ask with confusion.
"She left yesterday, with not so much as a peep. She gave the bits that were do and just hurried out of here, she looked awfully pale."
"She... left!? But.... why?" You wonder to yourself as to why she would leave without saying anything. Your worry goes into overdrive as you think of the possible locations she would have gone to.
"She did ask me to tell something to you though." The mare says.
Your ears perk up with intrigue.
"She told me to tell you that she was sorry, for everything, and that she doesn't want to hurt anyone else anymore. I have no idea what she could've possibly meant by that though."
You feel your chest tighten as the grey mare talks about Trixie's last words to you. Your head and body feel like it's about to implode as a sinking feeling of regret sets in. You told Trixie from the beginning that you'd never leave her and yet you made the foolish mistake of abandoning her in her darkest time.
You tell the mare goodbye as you hurry back to your hotel to pay your debt's and make your way back to Ponyvile. It's the only place you can think that'd she be.
-------*------- Stepping off the train and back into your familiar small town, you see no sign of your beautiful blue friend as you look around hastily, asking random ponies in the process if they'd seen any blue mare walking by. To the shock of no one however, every pony you ask has seemingly not a clue to her whereabouts.
You think back to the first place you ever saw her at. "The farm! Maybe Applejack knows something." You yet again make your way to your old familiar work place to ask the orange mare for any directions. Approaching the large field of property, you see that AJ and Big Mac have definitely made short work of all the apple tees, as none of them hold any of the red fruits you've become so used to seeing. You trudge along as fast as you can to the front door as the thick and heavy snow takes a toll on your speed and legs.
"Anon?" Applejack says surprised, she looks at you up and down at the front of the entrance, she almost cannot believe her eyes.
"I can't believe it, you're here!" She says still surprised but relieved all the same. "Where have ya been these past couple weeks? I almost got ready to search for ya myself!"
"AJ, we need to talk." You tell her sternly. She motions you in and you find a place to sit right in the apple family's living room.
She sits right beside you intently, her whole body facing toward you as the astonished earth pony looks you straight in the eye with disbelief. "What's this all about Anon? If ya think I'm upset don't be. I'm honestly just glad to see you aren't a pile of left over apple scrapings. Me and Big Mac got all the tree's bucked in time so we'll just need ya'll to worry about selling the apples, but I've also made some apple fritters if you-"
"AJ." She blinks a couple times as you stop her in her tracks. She shakes her head slightly as she focuses her attention back on to you.
"Oh gee, sorry Anon, I guess I do get a bit carried away every now and then huh? I'm just really happy to have ya back on the farm and-"
"AJ." You cut her off again.
"What is it sugarcube?" She asks softly.
You sigh to yourself before speaking. "There's something I haven't told you, something that I've forgotten to tell you, I never thought it was that big of a deal but there's been this mare I've been helping out-"
"A mare?!" Applejack says excitedly. "Now gosh darnit Anon why didn't you ever tell me about this?"
"Huh?" You question with confusion.
"Ya'll should've told me when you've gotten yourself a nice lassie to call your own!"
"N-No AJ it's not like that I-"
"Oh come on now sugarcube, it ain't something to be embarrassed about! I reckon it can be hard to get yur' feelings out from time to time. What's this special pony's name that you've come to fancy anyhow?"
"Her name is Trixie."
Applejack freezes as she looks like she's seen a ghost, her eyes widen and her ears freeze in place. For some reason she looks terrified.
"Applejack? Is something wrong?"
"W-What's this 'Trixie's' last name?" She asks with caution, her voice now lowering into an almost mumble.
"Uh..." You hesitate, you're beginning to worry about this whole thing. "Lulamoon, I think."
Applejack stares at you with disappointed eyes, you know she wants to say something but is holding back for some reason.
"Oh Anon."
"What's the matter Applejack?"
The orange mare takes a deep breath and looks at you with a serious face. "That mare Anon, she.... she's no good."
Applejack's words shock you as somehow she knows who she is and that apparently the two of them have seemingly had a history together.
"What do you mean? How do you know her?" Your interest has definitely peaked as Applejack seems reluctant to talk about her.
"Do you really want'a know?"
"More then anything." You tell her.
"Alright sugarcube fine." She begins her story.
"A while back I was heading into the market to find some fruits that'd be good to go with this apple pie I had just finished making, there was a large crowd as far as my eyes could see just standin' in front of this, what looked like to me and the rest of the girls, a makeshift stage. I felt intrigued so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. This blue pony was standin' on that stage just monologuing to every pony out there. I felt it kind of annoying to start braggin' your tail off and I wasn't alone. Me, Dash, Pinkie, Rarity, Spike, we were all gettin' heated with this unicorn that just had shown up without even a greetin', was now tellin' every pony that she was the best at magic. We all felt she was full of it and decided to challenge her, needless to say, she embarrassed the crud out of us and used her magic to do just that."
"All because you challenged her?" You ask.
"Well... sorta. We all got pretty heated like I said. Maybe I was a tad jealous that some random mare that no pony had ever seen before, was now as popular as the princess herself! Alright maybe not that much but you get the idea."
"So then, what ended up happening?"
"I can't tell you the full story as I don't know much myself. Ultimately her soon to be 'ex-fans' decided to track down an ursa minor and bring it back to Ponyvile for Trixie to conquer, which as you'd expect didn't go so well as at the point the whole town knew she'd been fibbing."
"Wow, I had no idea."
"Yeah well she ain't really accepted here no more and every pony that sees her wants nothing to do with her." She says with a bit of distain.
At that moment, Applejack's words make you realize the reality of why everyone was avoiding you and her. This whole time, with the doctors refusing to help her at the hospital, the mares and stallions talking behind their back and walking away from you both; it was because Trixie was never appreciated here, and that honestly hurts you.
"But she isn't a bad pony." You fight back.
"How could'ya say that Anon? She made a fool out of me, out of every pony. If you ask me, she got what she deserved."
"After you mocked here in the first place." You retort. "I know her AJ, she isn't bad at all."
"Is that why it took ya so long to get back?"
You nod your head.
"I.... see.... well honestly Anon I don't understand out of every mare ya'll would pick her but-"
"It's not like that!" You yell out. "I came to her aid because she needed me.... and to tell you the truth.... I need her."
"If that's how ya really feel...."
"It is. I need help finding her AJ, she disappeared without even a goodbye. I can't leave her out there not knowing what all could happen to her; I'd never forgive myself if something did."
Applejack's eyes move side to side and her body looks to be uncomfortable. "I'm... sorry Anon, I can't help."
"No, not you too." You say with despair. "Please AJ, you have to, I need to know if she's ok, I need to if-"
"If you really care about her that much Anon, then you should find her yourself. It isn't that I don't want to help you, it's just that I don't really trust that mare as far as I can stick'er." She finishes with a cautious tone. "And besides, I'd have no idea where she'd be. For all I know, she could be terrorizing some other town and I really don't want nothing to do with it."
"You really won't help me?" You ask once more with desperation.
"I'm really sorry Anon, to tell ya the truth, even if we did find her, she'd most likely just be shooed outta the town by all the mares and stallions."
The thought of Trixie not being accepted in Ponyvile, let alone anywhere, has you surprised. She always presented herself as this popular, respected mare that'd have hundreds of fans lined up just to see this talented magician, was it all a lie?
"Well that's that then." You say. "I'm going to go search for her."
"Anon, you can't possibly be serious about this."
"I am. Trixie isn't bad. She's a good mare with a good heart. Just because you had one bad encounter doesn't mean-"
"It wasn't the only one actually." She tells you abruptly.
"W-What?" You say shocked.
"She isn't the pony you think she is. Just stay away from her, ain't nothing good can come from being friends with that heathen."
"Applejack I can't believe you're saying this. What happened to friendship? You let me work here not even knowing what species I was and you-"
"You also didn't try to earn pity points by winning in a duel with another unicorn by cheating."
Her words stun you even more. You can't believe what you're hearing, she has to be lying, right?
"N-No, that can't be true! I know her, she isn't like that she-"
"She's tricked you Anon. Like I said ain't nothin' good can come from being her friend, nothing."
"I'm sorry AJ, I can't believe you. I know who she is, I've seen her at her darkest. She cried alone in the woods hoping no one would see her, but I did. She came to me for comfort, and I helped her open up. You can say whatever you want but it won't change a thing. I know what kind of pony she is and I'm not about to just abandon her."
You get up from the couch and head for the door to find any whereabouts of where she could be.
"You know Anon." A voice calls from behind you. "Even if you did find her, she wouldn't be able to come back to Ponyvile with you."
You stop in your tracks before opening the door and look down slightly.
"Then I guess I won't either."
You head out the door and back to the outside world. You look down at the box that you have in your hand and then up again to the setting sun.
"I'm not going to leave you Trixie, not this time, not ever."
A bustling city with ponies of all kinds greet your eyes.
"I really hope this is the one." You think to yourself as you go by sketchy and moderately wealthy ponies. You're not sure how far you've traveled or really where you are anymore, but your determination to find your blue friend has been the only thing that's been keeping you going.
You were tipped off by an older stallion back in Manehatten that a blue mare that had a strikingly similar description of Trixie, was all the way here; although you aren't too sure if you believe him but you're grasping for straws at this point.
Homeless ponies on the street swing around a sack of bits, hoping that someone will be generous enough to give them any money to help pay for another meal. Dark, decrepit alleyways are seen with unfamiliarity and caution as you walk by each one. According to a lot of the ponies that live here, crime is at an all time high.
"Why would anyone want to live here?" You wonder, it certainly doesn't look like any place you've seen in Equestria and it's really out of the way from anywhere near Ponyvile.
You stop and look at your surroundings. "Red building with a neon logo of two ponies wrestling." You look up to see what the stallion described to you where Trixie was allegedly by.
"I don't like this one bit." You mutter.
Heading around behind the building, you enter a tight alley with paranoia rising as you stay on guard for any potential attacks that may come your way. You approach a dirty looking door to your left with an almost unintelligible sign with words that read 'circus show.'
"You want in?" A stallion beside the door asks you. By how he looks, you certainly don't want to make any trouble.
"Uh yeah. This is where the performers are right?"
"You read the sign? Yeah we got all bunch of weirdos ready for your amusement. You want in or not?" His eyes send a shiver down your spine.
"Yeah sure."
"50 bits."
"'50 bits?!' You can't be-" You stop yourself before you get too dramatic. "Just do it Anon, for her."
You reach down to your pockets to pull out the required amount of money.
"Here." You can tell from the stallions face that he looks satisfied to see those gold coins.
"Alright, enjoy."
You walk in slowly to see the inside. The walls are rusted and the paint is scraping off, the scent of the building is a mixture of alcohol, odor, and things that your nose has never picked up. You see ponies gathered around in a circle, cheering and chanting at the performers that they're so enamored with.
You make your way to the front, slipping by every pony you come across. A pinkish mare with a small foal are doing tricks with each other that look quite unusual to you. By the looks of it, they don't seem to be enjoying themselves.
You scan your eyes around to see any sign of Trixie, everywhere you look though are hidden by the many stallions and mares that fill up this place. Being in here is hard enough but the dozens of ponies that look unkept and odd is another hurdle to get over. A few more performances go by with each pony having their own act and introduction.
The ring leader that you gather is the boss of all these ponies putting on a show, is standing front and center, ready to announce the next performer.
"Well, well, that was quite a performance wasn't it ladies and gentlecolts, well I'll assure you, this next performance will be sure to knock your tails off. She's been new to all this and we're very happy to include her in our family of circus freaks. Only the lowest of the low are able to get in as you know, and this one is most definitely one that has reached rock bottom. From a failed magician, to a bright star in our lineup, everyone welcome, 'The Terrible and Not-so-great, Trixie!'"
You look ahead eagerly to see any sign of her, the crowd is as loud as it ever was but you stand there silent with your heart beating fast and hands drenched with sweat. "Come on where is she, where is she!"
In all her beautiful glory she trots over. Her head is facing down and she's wearing long clothes that cover up her body. A collar is strapped around her neck as another pony pulls her along. She looks up at the crowd but not with a look of pride and happiness, but rather one of complete and utter numbness.
You watch in distress as Trixie is walked around and treated like some kind of object, with the pony holding onto her with a leash commanding her to do magic-, no, just tricks, as akin to a trained mutt. You can't stand to watch anymore as you pile your way past more ponies. Bodyguards stand in the way of you seeing her as they block you from going any further.
"Come on, you have to let me through I know her!" You command.
"Yeah sure you do and I'm the president of New Mane City." He mocks.
You try and push through but the ponies guarding around the circle push you back with force.
"Trixie! Trixie!" You yell, she doesn't look your way and seemingly doesn't even notice you as she still carries out whatever tasks the other pony has her do.
"Damnit just let me through!" You keep trying to push through. They warn you that they'll throw you out if you keep this up but right now, you couldn't care less.
Eventually, the guards pick you up by your arms, dragging you out in the process.
"No you don't understand! She's my friend, I need to see her!"
The guards don't seem to listen as they stay silent, still dragging you. You're thrown out onto the street and the door closes shut with a click. "Ugh, it's locked." You try and jam it open, though as rusty and broken as this door looks, it won't budge.
"Her wagon, it has to be around here somewhere, I'll just wait for her there." You walk around to see any small portable house in the distance, eventually you come across that old familiar carrier you've come used to seeing; you decide to wait for her here, sitting on one of the steps leading to door, you know this is probably the safest place to actually speak to her.
Hours go by as your mind stays on Trixie. It's almost like a bad dream seeing her in such a dark place such as this but hopefully you'll be able to find out what lead her to coming here in the first place.
More and more time goes on with still no sign of her. It's getting dark out and you expected Trixie to have come back by now. You get up and head back toward the last place you saw her at. The door is still shut tight and you don't hear any sounds of frantic ponies cheering inside; you look around to find any place she would've gotten to but it's so dark out, that your eyes are having a hard time finding anything.
Going around the alleyway, a bright, flickering exit sign catches your attention. You hear voices coming from inside but it's a little muffled from where you're standing, you try for the handle of the door. "Seriously, is every door locked around here?" With no way to get in, you put your ear against the metal square to see if you can hear whoever is talking in there.
"I said forward, forward! Gah can't your dumb flank do anything right? You don't want what happened last time do you, Bluey?" A gruff feminine voice is heard, with an accent you aren't accustomed to knowing.
"I-I'm trying, it's just, really hard is all."
"Trixie?" You say in a whisper.
"It isn't hard if you're doing it right! The boss put me in charge of you and I'm not about to let some scatter brain ruin everything I've built! Now again, forward!"
Hoof steps are heard with a loud pitter patter hitting the concrete floor inside. Nobody is talking anymore and it's all just different audible sounds.
"Ah!" You hear Trixie yell, as well as a loud 'woosh' hitting down onto something.
"No, no, no! Again, again!" You hear the gruff voice say, with a few more 'woosh' sounds coming from the room.
You take your ear away from the door and start knocking to get anyone's attention.
"Gah, it's probably the boss, just do what your supposed to do and practice what I've taught you."
You hear a key enter on the other side as the door handle opens slowly; the face of the pony is the one you saw back at the performance, the one that had Trixie by a leash.
"Hello mister-" She stops as she looks at you with a semi-threatening look. "Who the heck are you?"
"Not the boss." You respond.
"What are you doing here? The show is over. Come back in two days." She says blankly.
"Is Trixie in there?" You ignore her.
"'Trixie?' You mean Bluey? Why would you want to know?" By the tone in her voice she really does not seem like the friendly type.
"I'm her.... manager" You think of anything.
"Nice try wise guy but I'm the supervisor around here."
"Really Anon, 'manager?' That's the best you could come up with?"
"Look, can I just see her for a minute?" You ask not really as a question, but more so as a command.
"How bout this two arms, you get far away from here as possible and we won't have any trouble. Understood?"
"A-A-Anon?" A voice calls out from behind the door.
The mare looks back at her with menacing eyes. "I said keep practicing! I'm handling this!"
While she isn't looking you pry open the door with all your strength and make your way past her. Beyond the room you finally have a clear view of your bright, blue unicorn; she's still wearing long clothes that cover up almost every part of her.
"Trixie!"
"Anon!"
Her eyes light up with joy and her face turns into a full smile as she sprints for you. You feel the embrace of a warm sensation as she grips you tightly with her front hooves, standing on her back hooves in the process. She catches you a bit off guard but you wrap your arms around her soft back.
"Oh Anon." Trixie's voice softly says, her chin is resting on your shoulder as she stays into the comforting hug you two have formed.
"Trixie... I've been looking everywhere for you. When you left with not so much as a word I...."
"You came looking for me all this way? I thought you would've forgot about me." She inquires assuredly.
"Trixie?! Stop fooling around and get back to practice! You know what the boss will do if finds you slacking off!" The gruff mare says.
You let go of Trixie and look behind you to face the rude mare.
"We're leaving." You state.
"A-Anon?!"
You grab Trixie by the hoof and pull her out of whatever awful place she'd been in. You walk past the mare eying her with a threatening glare as you pass the door.
"Anon, wait." Trixie comes to a halt as the two of you stop around the alley.
"Trixie not now, we have to get out of here, back to Canterlot; your friends are all worried sick and-"
"I can't Anon." She looks up at you with a frown, her tone is stern.
"What do you mean? This is no place for you Trixie. Come on we can go-"
"Stop." Trixie looks you straight in the eye with a sincere face. "I can't go back, not now, not ever. This is where I belong, where I should stay; I can't change that now."
"I... don't understand." Your mind is full of confusion as to why she'd come here in the first place; away from what she built herself on, from her true passion in life. You just don't get it.
"And I don't know if I have the courage to explain it to you." She continues.
"You do. You can tell me anything Trixie. I'm here for you, I came all this way to find you; I made the mistake of leaving you when you needed someone the most and I'm sorry."
"Anon, just please... stop...." She looks away from you and in a brief moment, she trots away.
"Trixie!" You yell out, you hear her hoof steps echoing in the night as she runs off.
You make your way back to her wagon and see no lights are on inside. Trixie is sitting on the snow covered grass just next to her home. You look down at her as she looks at the ground.
"I just... don't get it..."
"Trixie, what do you mean? We can go back to where we left off, go somewhere better then here; I know you, you're the 'Great and Powerful Trixie.' So come on."
"You don't know anything about me!" Trixie fights back, her voice sounding shaky and tired. "Don't you get it? I came to this place to get away.... away from everything, from you."
"But why? I thought everything was fine, that you were fine. If it's something I can help you with just-"
"You can't help me with anything alright!?" You stay silent as Trixie yells at you with frustration, her voice is so wobbly and her body is tensed up. "I lied to you... about everything.... ugh why did you have to come find me.... why can't you just stop hurting me.... I can't get close to you.... I can't look at you... or else...."
"I never meant to hurt you Trixie. I wanted you to be better, I wanted to help you."
"Why Anon.... why? I was so mean to you when you met me.... you helped me with so much and yet.... you just don't know how much I...."
She slams her hoof into the snow. "This is so awful! Why can't I do anything right, why do I have to ruin everything! If I was never born you'd of never known me, you'd of never saw me, I wouldn't be such a burden.... then why. Why, why, why, why!" She slams her hoof down with each word, her voice is at the breaking point of collapse and her throat sounds so dry.
You're so upset and confused. All this time you've known her and you still haven't found the reason as to 'why.' She's right, ever since you met her you've been doing everything you could just to help her, to be with her, to figure out her problems, but did you ever? You thought you were doing everything correct but with what Applejack said.... have you truly ever known her?
"I can help you Trixie... just let me in... I... don't know why I care about you so much, ok? I just.... do."
"That doesn't make any sense. Why would anyone care about me? Who would ever want to be my friend? All of a sudden some random creature comes stumbling into my life and they just want to help me?!... I don't understand." She's exhausted and her voice is hollow. She's going through so much different emotions that you can't wrap your head around her true personality.
"I know what happened in Ponyvile, it... it wasn't how it was supposed to go."
She freezes for a moment and stops moving her body, her breathing speeds up a bit but she's still face planted to the snow.
"I may not have the full story, but I know enough that all you wanted was to make ponies happy, to make them see who you really are, the mare you aspire to be. What happened wasn't your fault, and I know deep down in my heart that you're a great pony, no, an amazing magician, with talents unicorns from all over would be jealous of. Three weeks of trying to find you; I wouldn't rest until I did. No matter what you think Trixie, I really do care about you, and that's.... that's just something that isn't going to change."
Moments pass without a word exchanged from you and her both. The snow falls down lightly onto the soft grass below, the night is calm, if not a bit eerie. Did you say the right words? Do the right thing? You look upon her with nervous eyes.
"The truth is Anon...." After what feels like an eternity, her voice comes to a soft mellow. "You mean the world to me.... you mean everything.... to me." She looks up at you slowly, tears are strung in her eyelids as she holds back the onslaught of streams that want so desperately to leave her.
"Coming to my aid, walking me back home, fending off that diamond dog, wanting to learn more about me... My heart felt something I never thought I'd ever feel. My life felt like it finally meant something.... like I had somebody I could finally share with adventures with, my feelings with... I never had any friends growing up. My parents couldn't care less whether I succeeded or not, and I loathed myself for the longest time; trying to do anything to finally feel appreciated.
And then you came along.... I never wanted you to leave me.... I never wanted to say goodbye... I never wanted to get close to you because I was so... scared.... scared of losing you.... I never had the courage to tell you because I didn't want you to see me like this.... I never was great and powerful, I was just me.... Trixie. That's all I've ever been."
She looks at you with a sad and scared look. It must have been really hard for her to say all that.
"Not to me." You look straight at her with confidence and heartfelt determination. "You were never just another pony. You will never stop being important to me, never stop being someone that I'll look out for through all the hard times you'll face. Because to me, you aren't just great a pony, you're a perfect mare."
With vigor and soft force, hooves wrap around you in the dark night with loving and comfort. A soft, longing tongue intertwines inside your mouth as your eyes widen to see Trixie's closed. Her face pouring down tears with every second that goes by. She holds onto you as both of your tongues flip and twist around one another with intimacy, her breath feels warm and hot on this cold night; her heart beating like a racehorse that just won first place and her snout is scrunched up tightly to your nose.
This is the moment she had been waiting for, that you had been waiting for, all this time, with every day that passed by, all she wanted was to be in your grasp from then, to now.
Your tongues unlock from each other slowly as you open your eyes to look that gorgeous mare in the face. Her breathing is heavy and intimate and her mouth gasps for air. She looks at you so gracefully, her cheeks have a slight red tint and she doesn't turn away from you for a second.
"All my life I thought I'd never find somebody to hold onto, somebody to look after and care for, somebody to finally care so much about.... I think I love you Anon." So soft and like a whisper, her voice along with her words, are so beautiful.
"Please... don't ever leave me." The sentence slices through you like butter.
"Never Trixie. I'll always be with you, forever."
More and more streams come down as her soft, moist mouth comes in contact with yours once again. You want this moment to last forever. As if deja vu hit you again, you think to yourself, that you've finally found someone to hold onto.
"Sorry Trixie, but I really need to disinfect your cuts."
"Just be gentle Anon, my body is really sore." She says with a soft voice.
"I can't believe they did this to you, that they would hurt you like this." Your voice rises in anger as you see all the bruises and whip marks that Trixie had endured. All you feel like doing is hurting the pony that was responsible for Trixie's poor treatment, that mare.
"Anon, it's ok. It isn't that big of a deal, if anything I'm sure my wounds will heal soon, thanks in part to your medical assistance of course."
"It's a big deal to me Trixie. This isn't right, it's not humane. I swear I should march down there and-"
"No Anon!" Trixie states, fear in her voice. "You don't understand, those ponies aren't the type to mess with. They have connections, involvements with other higher ups, the last thing I'd want is to see you get hurt."
You think about her words. If you started making trouble with ponies out of your depth, then who knows what kinds of repercussions it could have with Trixie.
"As much as I hate to say it, your right. I don't want to see you get hurt either, especially if I do something stupid. Right now I'm here for you and no pony else. You're the mare that matters to me the most after all."
"Oh Anon." Trixie smiles at you and softly puts her hoof on your face, looking you in the eyes with love and compassion.
"Is your left hoof bad too?" You ask as her hoof lays softly touching your face.
"No I don't think so, probably the one hoof I'm ok using with no problems."
Trixie's long black coat that was used to cover up her body, sits on the floor next to you and her. As much as your whole world is happy to be with Trixie again, to think that she was physically abused like this, makes your skin crawl.
"Ow!" She yelps again. "I may be a little tender on that hoof though."
"Can you put that hoof on my shoulder?"
"Huh? Why?" She asks confused.
"Because it seems like a lot of the discomfort is coming from the bottom side of your hoof, I need to rub some disinfectant on the inside."
"O-Oh, ok." Trixie lifts up her right hoof and tries to place it on your shoulder but is visibly having trouble, you put your hand on her warm hoof and help it up on your body.
"It's ok Trixie, I'll try to be quick." Trixie's face is seen to be in pain from stretching her pained hoof out but trusts you like a loyal companion, that you're only trying to help her.
"There we go." You say as you bring your hand back to her hoof to help bring it down as slowly as you can. "The aches will still be felt in your body for a few hours but you should feel a lot better by tomorrow."
"Thank you Anon." She smiles softly yet again, locking eyes with yours; though something in her mind causes her to change moods again as her face turns to one of worry and doubt as she looks slightly away from you.
"Trixie? What's wrong?"
"No more holding secrets, right?" Her voice sounds off with insecurity.
"Right." You tell her.
Trixie takes a deep breath before telling you whatever is on her mind.
"To be honest with you Anon, I've been pretty worn out from being here. When I left Canterlot I didn't really have any plans on where to go. Eventually I ended up finding this place. I was excited at the prospect of being a performer again, so of course I happily took the job. But before I knew it, I was somehow in the position as a helpless child, just doing whatever orders were told of her."
"But I still don't understand, why come here in the first place?" You ask, there are still more questions then answers that Trixie is leaving out.
"I told you already. I came here to get away from it all, to start anew, to throw away my past mistakes and hopefully do something worth while." Trixie sighs while looking at you, a sad expression marked on her face. "I know ponies in Ponyvile and Canterlot don't think I'm a good mare, and that's ok. I've learned to deal with that fact all my life, but if a whole mob of ponies came after me, if I only were able to make one of them happy then, well that'd be enough for me."
"But you did make ponies happy, made them smile. It doesn't matter what a couple of dense ponies think about you, at the end of the day, you're still a magician that most ponies would only dream of being."
Trixie sighs again and turns her frown into a smile. "You know Anon, you really are the only creature to know more about what's on the inside of me, the only creature to care. I'm glad I don't have to be fake around you."
You smile back at her. "And who knows? Tomorrow we could finally go back to where we left off, to not have to worry about this unjust treatment, for you to just resume magic again."
"About that..." Trixie trails off.
"Don't tell me it's bad news." You say cautiously.
"....It's bad news."
"What is it then Trixie?"
She rubs her hoof on the back of her neck. "When I told you that I couldn't leave, you know, even if I wanted to..."
"Yeah?"
"Well... I really, really can't."
"Why?"
Trixie gets up from where she's sitting and turns around to show you her flank.
"They branded you!?"
"It was initiation.... They told me that I was going to be their 'prime star' and I took the bait. I'm sure anyone would have done it with the things they promised." She inquires, trying to raise up any confidence in her own words that she is unsure of herself.
"Trixie...."
She smiles at you with embarrassment.
"So then how would we be able to get you out?"
"I told you Anon, there's no way."
"There has to be a way. I'm not going to have you put up with any of this anymore, and I swear if I see that mare or that 'thing' you call your boss I'll-"
"Anon!" Trixie brings you out of your anger filled rant. "it really isn't a big deal."
"How could you keep saying that Trixie!? They're animals, abusers, no pony should have to go through what you have, no pony."
She shuffles her left hoof across the wooded floor.
"I'm getting you out."
"W-What?! Anon I told you there-"
"Tomorrow we'll talk with them, it really can't be that bad. If we tell them that you just don't want to perform anymore, I'm sure they'll understand."
"Do you even believe that, Anon?"
"I mean.... well...." She looks at you with an eyebrow raised, she can see right through you. "What's the worst that can happen?"
"Oh you know, the usual, cruel, unjust punishment and whatnot." She says with a carefree, sarcastic tone.
"..." You're at a loss, what could you say to that to make the situation better?
Trixie sighs and shakes her head. "If you really want to try your *cough* 'plan', then fine. Trixie is onboard, just don't expect me to be the one to march in there to tell the big man that I want to high tail it out of here."
"Ok, fair enough. I know my plan isn't concrete but it's the best we've got for now. Seeing you get hurt hurts me Trixie. I know now that I'm the only support you got but likewise, you've been the only pony that I've had in my life. You mean a lot to me, and I'll do everything in my being to see it through that you're safe."
"You mean the world to me too Anon." Trixie walks up to you and rubs her head on your body. "You really do."
A couple more hours go by with you and Trixie talking back and forth. You tell her some really corny jokes that surprisingly makes her giggle. She lays down with her head laying on your leg, her face looking upward towards yours with intent. Just seeing that beautiful face of hers, her smile, her laugh, makes any bad day you could of possibly been having, turn into the best.
"-You really like bad jokes huh?" You ask your smiling marefriend.
"Anon they aren't bad, they're *giggle*, I've never heard any of those before. It's hard to make Trixie laugh you know."
"Well tell you what." You begin while petting Trixie's mane. "When me and you get out of here and are traveling together, running shows, and what-not; how about I go on stage and tell the one about the three legged alicorn?"
"No not that one, then no pony is going to want to show up!" She says playfully while laughing again, thinking about the silly joke that's running through her mind. You laugh with her as the two of you share each others company with glee.
"Well beside that, it's getting pretty late. You should probably get some sleep don't you think?'
"What about you?"
"Oh... uhm. I'll manage." You tell her unsure of yourself.
"Anon." Trixie shakes her head. "There's a reason I still have my wagon you know. Being anywhere near the ponies in that city is a sign for disaster."
"So what then?" You ask her.
"So, you'll just have to sleep in here."
"In your wagon? But there's only one bed."
"W-Well...." Trixie hesitates, seemingly hopeful that you get the hint. You look at her blankly.
"Ugh! Do I have to spell it out?"
"Huh?"
"J-Just because there's only one bed doesn't mean.... um... Oh for Celestia's sakes Anon."
"What Trixie?" You say, seeing her getting visibly annoyed.
"N-Nevermind, just follow me." She tells you as she grabs your hand and pulls you with her. She sets you on the bed and you plop down with a thud. She stands there beside her bed looking down at you. "S-See? This is what Trixie meant."
"O-Oh." Your dense brain finally connects the dots. "But are you sure? I mean if you aren't comfortable with this I can always-"
Her soft lips stop you from talking as her scent envelops your mouth. Her eyes are closed once again as her face has a soft, relived look as she smooches you. Her lips apart as her saliva still reigns on yours.
She looks at you intimately before speaking. "If I do anything with you, Trixie is always comfortable." She slides over to the other side of the bed and lays next to you. Her face connected with yours as you two both look at each other with compassion.
"Goodnight Trixie."
"Goodnight Anon." Her words come out softly.
The lights go out and you find yourself drifting off to sleep rather quickly. You think about the challenges that tomorrow will inevitably bring.
"I'll get you out of this place. I promise Trixie."
"Mmmhf" You groan, you're being pushed by a force that is disrupting your peaceful rest.
"Ugh. Anon, wake up." Trixie has been trying to wake you up for a couple minutes now.
"Hangonasecond." Your words come out jumbled and slurred.
"You've been saying that for five minutes! Come on, we have to go."
"Mmmhf"
"If you don't get up, I'm making you get up." Trixie's voice comes out frustrated.
"Surewhatever..." You mumble.
Trixie sighs. "Alright, I warned you."
"Wah!" You let out as your body floats in the air. "H-Hey, w-what's going on!?"
"Just a bit of persuasion." Trixie cheerfully says.
"W-Woah hang on a sec-" She lets go of you from her magical grasp and you plop down on the floor.
"Are you awake now?" Trixie asks annoyed.
You give a thumbs up as your face lay planted to the floor; Trixie lifts you up off the floor and sets you on your feet.
"You didn't have to be so rough." You tell her as you rub your shoulder.
"Well we have to go. I got ready and plucked all the knots out of my mane as fast as I could because I thought we were in a rush... clearly though..." She looks at you. You most likely look a mess as your hair is everywhere and your clothes are starting to get a little dirty.
"Ok well *yawn* lets get going then."
She stands there, still looking at you.
"Something wrong Trixie?"
"I don't want you to talk to him, Anon."
"What? But I thought you said last night that-"
"I know what I said, and... I've changed my mind. I don't want you to have to talk to him, it's my fault that I'm in this mess so, I'll be the one to go in there and confront him. Not all my problems should be carried on your back."
"Trixie, I can do this; I told you I'm here for you and-"
"Anon." She shakes her head while looking at you. "Trixie will do this. I will do this."
You see the determination in her eyes, she wants to be that strong mare she strives so much to be. You nod your head slowly as you commit to Trixie's words.
Her mouth forms a smug but welcoming smile. "Good." She says softly. "Lets get going, I want to get this over with as fast as possible." You follow behind her as she heads out the door.
-------*------- "Trixie, where in Equestria are you leading us?"
"No, no, not this one. Maybe over here, mmm no, not here either."
Trixie is deep in concentration, going around different streets, alleys, and buildings; she looks so fixated on finding this place. Eventually, she leads you to a very secluded part of land, a little away from the city.
"Trixie?" Your words don't seem to phase her.
You tap her on the back to get her attention, she jumps slightly before turning her face towards yours.
"What is it Anon?" She seems to be acting a bit stressed but remains calm while talking to you.
"Why are we in the woods?"
"Because this is where we go to talk to my boss."
You look around, confused at what you're seeing. To you, it just looks like a plot of land out in the middle of nowhere.
"Are you having trouble finding it?"
"Well no, I mean, I'm sure it was around here somewhere."
"And what is 'it'? I thought we were going to where you were yesterday." You're a bit confused on why she's been going around seemingly all over the city.
"No not at all."
"....Then where are we going?"
She gives you an annoyed look. "To where my boss is."
"Where's your boss at then?"
Trixie reaches into her saddle bag to pull out a map. She shows you the coordinates of where the place is located.
"I don't understand." You tell her. "It says we're right on top of it, then how-"
Trixie points a hoof at the symbol beside the address. "That's why." She responds.
"An arrow?" You study the page for a couple seconds, Trixie hoof-palms at your still confused expression.
"It's underground Anon."
"Under- oh. Wait what?"
"My boss is in a bunker under the city. I've never been there personally, I only know about it."
"I... see..." You find it a little weird that of all places he'd be under the dirt, but I guess stranger things have happened.
"The only problem is." Trixie continues. "It could be anywhere from here." She appears to be anxious and restless.
"Well, an entrance has to be somewhere around here." You begin feeling the ground, moving dirt and any leaves that could be obscuring any hidden passage. Trixie follows as she moves any obstacles away with her magic, tossing them to the side.
"I think I found it." She calls out. You stop what you're doing and walk over to her. A beat up looking wooden door lays in front of you and Trixie. She opens it slowly, it creaks with a dreadful sound as it's chamber becomes open. A pitch black presence presents itself to you and her. You stare at the dark passageway, stairs going as far down as your eye can see.
"I didn't know we'd need a light for this."
"'We'?" Trixie quotes with a question.
"Well yeah, I'm going with you."
"No Anon, you aren't." Her tone is exhausted and annoyed.
"Yes Trixie, I'm coming with you."
"I told you I'll do this. I don't need your help."
"And I'm not going against you, just let me walk down there with you, that's it." You know Trixie is annoyed and wants to do this herself, but your worry takes over as you don't want anything bad to happen.
"Fine. I won't argue, just don't do anything stupid, ok?" She states with a sense of frustration and care.
"Ok, I won't." You walk in front of your unicorn, stepping down slowly into the dark abyss. "Trixie?" You look back to see her frozen in place, a deadpan look of doubt smeared across her face. You make your way back to her, setting your hand down on her back. "You can do this."
"I.... know." She tries her best to smile at you, though her worried expression still overrides her bright purple eyes. "Trixie, will do this." She trots slowly in front of you, taking charge as the leader. You follow her steps as her flank now faces you, her long black coat hiding any and all wounds that live on her body. She begins her descent into the dark stairs below, that familiar stance of strong will and confidence showing in her posture.
"What business you have here?" A stallion with an accent, not of your familiarity, asks you both. He seems to talk in broken sentences.
"Uhm.." You stand there without a clue in the world. "So much for talking Anon."
"We're here to see the boss." Trixie tells the weird pony.
"And how should I know you aren't secret agent trying to get intel of our darkest, personal, information?"
You both stand there looking at the stallion, head tilted. "What the heck is he on?" You think.
"Uh, look, I'm not a spy or whatever, my name is Trixie and-"
"Trixie you say?... Yes, that checks out, I know who you are. But what about him?" He looks over at you suspiciously.
"I'm-"
"He's my supervisor." She says through a lying grin.
"Ok, what is name?"
"N-Name?"
"Yes, his name, what is name."
"My name is A-"
"H-He doesn't have one." The stallion raises an eyebrow. "I mean.." Trixie clears her throat. "He isn't allowed to share his name with me, you know how it goes, rules and whatnot."
"Hmmm." Trixie grins from ear to ear, trying her best to come off as friendly as possible. "Very well then, I will tell boss that you need to speak with him." You watch Trixie take a huge sigh of relief as he leaves you two alone by the front of the stairs.
"This is why I didn't want you to come down here in the first place, I had to lie just to save your own flank!" Trixie whispers to you with annoyance.
"Everything's going to be fine." You try and reassure.
"'Fine'?! Anon, you aren't even supposed to know this place exists! If they find out you're just some outsider they'll-"
"Ok Miss Trixie, this way please." She's cut off by the stallion who directs you and her both to come with.
You follow behind, he leads you to wherever this 'boss' is; two luxurious doors stand out in front of you. "Remember, don't try anything funny while you're in there, severe punishments will follow." The stallions last words leave you and Trixie both as the door comes to a close behind you both. The room is almost all black except for a couple dimly lit torches that hang in unison on the wall.
You and Trixie step forward together as your feet and her hooves echo in this blank, almost vacant, room. "Ah, Ms. Lulamoon!" A voice comes out from afar. A throne of some sort is stationed far in the back as that greasy old stallion from Trixie's performance locks eyes with the both of you.
"Just keep your cool Anon." You retell yourself.
"Oh? And you must be her handler! Though I must admit, I've forgotten of you strange one. You are Ms. Lulamoon's handler, are you not?"
"Yes?" You respond with insincere confidence.
"Yes... yes, I remember now! Haha! Ah Woozy, what times we've had all those years ago, ja?" He laughs as if he knows you, this guy seems to have lost it.
"Ehhem, yes what uh.. times they were... uh..."
"Well that's enough chat, you've most definitely not come here to talk to these old bones, so what brings you here?"
"Well as you know I've taken 'Ms. Lulamoon' under my care for a couple weeks now."
"Yes and a fine job you've done with her! I'm sure all those 'lessons' you've put down on her really made her shape up quick, that attitude she had was just so authoritative. Although if you needed any help I would've gladly taken her with all those whippings you've carried out!" He chuckles as if she's just some 'toy' to be played with. Your stomach churns and your blood boils at this pathetic whelp sitting at arms reach from you.
"Just get through this Anon, you're almost there." You try and put your anger aside, it wouldn't be wise to act out in such a dastardly place such as this. "Yes well, I must inform you by saying she must take her leave."
"Whatever do you mean? She has acted out in our best interests has she not?" He questions you.
"So it would seem. She's ultimately just not cut out for this sort of thing, her body has become weak and her 'attitude' is just too much to handle."
"What you're saying is a very 'tight rope' of explanation, you do know the outcome letting go one of our own, don't you?" You have no idea what he means, and honestly, are scared to say the wrong thing.
"Uh.." You look at Trixie who looks just as dazed as you are. "Y-Yes?"
"Very well then. We will start the execution phase."
"The what?!" You and Trixie yell out.
"Ah, so you have forgotten. Not to worry old friend, she will be dealt with."
"W-Wait!"
"Hmm? What is it?"
You look around the room, at Trixie, and back at the old geezer to find anything to say. You clear your voice and respond in an intimidating tone. "That will not be an issue sir, I'll have her taken care of swiftly from my own two.... hooves?"
"Anon what the-" She whispers, you quickly look at her and hold a finger to your mouth to motion her to be quiet.
"I like the way you think Whoozy! Yes, yes, always the type to get the job done on your own! Very well old friend, I'll let you have this one! You've earned it after all that you've done for this small family of ours!" You don't even want to know what kind of things this 'Whoozy' has done.
"Thank you sir, it is an *cough* 'honor.'"
"Come on.... slave!" You drag Trixie along out the door, you both make your way up the stairs and out of this sick place.
"Phew." You bend down and put your hands on your legs. "Well.... I think we're in the clear."
"Thankfully." Trixie replies.
You look at Trixie who doesn't look all to pleased by the circumstance.
"You alright?" You ask your blue mare.
"Lets just go." She trots past you.
"Wait, Trixie!" You grab her hoof and she pushes your arm away from her.
"What is it." She grits her teeth as she says this.
"I don't understand, why're you upset?"
"Why am I upset, really?" She scoffs at you.
"Look, I know you wanted to do the talking but-"
"You could've gotten yourself hurt!" She raises her voice at you. She sounds more worried then angry.
"I know. I was only trying to help and-"
"Anon this is serious! It's bad enough I have to worry about me, but having you inside some dangerous place that Celestia knows what goes on their, is terrifying!"
"Trixie I know-" Frustration rises in your mind as Trixie lets into you. You were just trying to help.
"You don't know Anon! I told you to just stay back, to have me handle this! I can worry about myself-"
"And what do want me to do!?" You yell. "Stand here and let, God knows what, happen to you!? Do you know how much I care about you!? Do you!?" She stands at a still looking at you, her semi-angry expression turns into a sad, depressive one; like some trigger got unleashed inside her.
"Wait, no, Trixie, I'm-"
She looks down and trots off. You reach out a hand as you see her run off into the distance, helpless to apologize for your actions. You didn't mean for that to slip out the way it did; you care about her, that fact is known, but your own frustrations got the better of you as you took it out on your marefriend.
You walk back to the wagon, thinking of what to say to apologize to her. It isn't like you to loose your temper like that, but it wasn't out of a place of anger, but care. Lights inside are turned off and drapes cover the windows, blocking any visibility from the outside.
"Trixie? You in there?" You knock on the door and call out for her, no response. You try for the handle but it's bolt locked. You see a silhouette pass through the closed off windows. "Trixie, come on, can we just talk?"
"No Anon." You hear her voice from the other side of the door; she sounds stern and exhausted.
"Look I'm sorry alright? I didn't mean to yell at you. Can you please just open the door for me?" No response. You look down to your feet and sigh, turning away from the door and sitting on the steps outside.
A few hours pass, you've went to get food and even have a bag of hay fries that you've gotten for Trixie. More and more time passes, as you get up from your steps periodically. Looking in the covered windows to see any sign of her bright blue fur, and still trying for the door, calling for her name and asking to accept your apology, only to be greeted by silence from the other side.
Crickets play in the distance as you hear their sounds, a breeze comes across your skin every few moments, as the tree's help push the wind forth. Your head lay on the steps in a fetal position, going in and out of consciousness as your tired body rests on the cold wood.
A door opens behind you, as well as the hooves of a pony who stops and looks at you. "Get inside Anon." She tells you. You don't budge and still lay down, slightly alert to your surroundings but still un-wanting to move. You hear a horn light up and a small shock pierces through your body. Jolted and awake, you quickly stand up to find the source of this annoying pain.
Trixie stands looking at you with a sad, bleak appearance. Her eyes look flushed and sensitive. The inside of the wagon is just as dark as the out.
"Are you coming in?" She asks with an almost formulaic tone.
You nod and slowly make your way beside her, to the warm and comfy wagon you've been trying to get into. Finding a chair across the room, you take a seat as to wait for your marefriend to also get inside. Trixie follows behind you, closing her door with low force. You gaze at her and look away seconds later, she's probably still mad about earlier. Soft hoof steps patter on the wood floor as Trixie sits on the floor across from the chair, making eye contact as she does so.
"Trixie I really didn't mean for the outburst earlier. If you're still mad at me I understand, just know I wasn't trying to come off rude." She looks down and slightly shakes her head, after a few seconds she looks back up towards your freezing face.
"You really think I'm mad?" She says in a tone that you recognize as her pretty much saying 'you’re dense.' She continues. "Don't get me wrong, I'm upset for sure, but mad?"
"Then what Trixie?" She looks to the side, her head tilted down and away from you, as if she's ashamed of something.
"All my life I've wanted what I felt like was the right thing to do, that thing that made me different from every pony else. A schtick that would finally make ponies, from all around Equestria, actually care about me."
"Trixie I've told you you're a great-"
"Anon." She cuts you off, you look at her as she looks back to you with a serious face. You nod your head and listen to her words.
"I went to school, just like every pony else that I grew up with. I was never seen as anything but a punching bag from teachers and classmates alike. 'Everybody's got their cutie mark, what about you Latemoon?' They'd say. I scoffed at them and told them that 'once I get my cutie mark, I'll be more famous then all of you, just you wait! The Great Trixie will wow all of you, you'll see'" She stops and chuckles to herself. "I guess that was a foolish thing to think huh?"
She stops for a brief moment to catch her bearings, you sit there with sadness in your heart. You know she's better then she thinks. You just wish she could see it.
"-So I went home, day after day, hoping, praying that one day I'll be a name that everyone will know and love. And just like that, I found it. A passion so rich and enticing that it filled me with so much wonder. 'A magician huh?' I thought. I studied book after book, watched performance after performance; I tell you Anon, it was such a wonderful thing to see every pony gathered around in awe at the tricks on display. 'That will be me.'" She looks up to the celling, reminiscing and thinking back to her past that she had so much hope for.
"My parents wanted me to be a fashion designer, a music composer, anything else but the burning desire that ached in my heart. They never believed in me, they never even cared about me. To them, I was just a means to an end. A burden of a daughter that left embarrassment wherever she went. So I left Canterlot, I thought if no one wanted me here, surely somewhere, ponies will accept me. I fought for years to be recognized, to be expected, to be... me."
A tear runs down the side of her face as she fakes a smile at you. "Through it all I made spectacular performances to the few who'd want to see. But even so, my heart was still empty. I could fake myself on stage, but back in my wagon I'm... just..."
"No, no Trixie." You get up from your chair and sit beside her, she's quivering and her cries are broken and soft. She looks down to the floor, water droplets splashing on each frame of wood that lays there. You wrap your arms around her body, and bring her close to your chest. She exhales softly with your touch, more and more tears stream down from her beautiful purple eyes.
"I...'m... j-just.... b-bro-ken, An-on." Her voice comes out with a sadness you've never heard from her before, an emotion you never saw her have until just now. Trixie isn't just sad, she's scared.
You take your hand and lift her chin up, she looks at you with that gorgeous face you hope never leaves your mind. Through your whole life you never had anyone to cherish moments with. You never felt the need to care for one creature in particular, never thought that you'd have someone to hold onto and genuinely love. As you look in Trixie's eyes and see her beautiful features that fill you with an unconditional attachment, you've realized through your time spent with her, that she's the most special pony you will ever have.
"I love you Trixie, no matter what anyone says to you, what they do to you, how they treat you, I will always be there for you. You mean more to me than you'll ever even know. You are so special to me, don't ever forget that."
She closes her eyes and like in slow motion, moves her faces closer towards yours. Her lips come in contact as her warm breath ensnares your senses. The passion she shows to you is incredible, she slowly burrows her hot velvet tongue inside your mouth. Your heart is in heaven as she traps you with her love. A few moments pass, you hesitantly pull away as to catch yourself some air. Trixie pants and looks at you lustfully as she wants more. It takes a few more seconds until a word is uttered from either one of you. Trixie still cries but she's seemed to compose her emotions to a point.
"I wasn't mad at you Anon, I was worried. Worried that I'd screw something up and cause you to get hurt, worried that I'd never be able to see you again. It did hurt me when you yelled but I know you didn't mean it. All of this was hard for me and bringing you along with me, was even harder." She pauses to just stare at you, to get another look at the face she cares for so much.
"All my life I've tried to do my passion, my joy in life; I've wanted for this burning desire in my heart to finally be satisfied, to finally be at ease.... Little did I know, you were the desire I was longing for all my life. You're the piece that completes me. I love you, so, so much.... And I know that whatever Trixie does, I'll be happy to think that my passion will always be waiting for me, and I'll never leave him."
"Oh I'm so nervous!" Trixie looks out her wagon to see ponies waiting for her to start another humble magic show.
"You're going to do just fine." Anon tells her.
"I know, it's just that, I haven't done this in so long. What if I'm rusty?"
"Trixie come on we've talked about this. I told you your tricks are great, you can do this, I believe in you."
Trixie is seen moving around restlessly as she tries to put herself in order. She feels a warm touch come on her back. She looks up to Anon who's smiling with that same warm smile Trixie is always delighted to see. She stares at him with a worried face.
"We still have time before your show is scheduled to start; I've been wanting to give you something for a while."
"Anon, I appreciate the gesture, I really do. But this is no time for gifts."
"Trust me Trixie."
Anon grabs Trixie's hoof and walks her over to the nightstand by her bed. She finds it silly that now he has something to show her, as they've had almost two weeks to share presents.
"A... box?" Trixie asks, confused on why this would be so important.
"Open it."
Trixie levitates the box in front of her as she takes it away from Anon's hands. Anon has a smile on his face still, now seemingly more ecstatic then before.
She opens it slowly, taking the top off and placing it on the floor. A very familiar cloth comes out as Trixie levitates the hat and coat out of the confines of the box. She can't believe her eyes.
"It's... my magician attire.." She stares at the fabric, her mind at a loss of what she's seeing. "The holes they're... gone. It's all brand new.... Anon how-"
He reaches out a hand to show her the childhood drawing of her and her family. She takes it slowly and looks back up at Anon.
"I found it in your closet when I brought you home. I thought it meant a lot to you as you scribbled words on the inside of your hat; seeing how dirty and messed up it was, I decided I'd have it fixed up for you. It suits you, you know."
"Anon I-"
"It's ok Trixie, just put it on."
Trixie slips on the purple coat and the wizard hat that she has dawned on her head. She looks at herself in the mirror, seeing 'The Great and Powerful Trixie' displayed right in front of her eyes once again. But something else is seen in her reflection as well, something that Trixie cares about more then any bits or clothes that Equestria could ever have.
She turns around to look at Anon, she gives him a big hug and rubs her head on his shoulder. Nothing in Trixie's life could ever fill the loneliness inside her heart, nothing, until Anon came to her.
